Transport in Bristol - Public Transport

Public Transport

Public transport within the city is still largely bus-based, with Bristol Bus Station being located in Marlborough Street, near the Broadmead shopping area. The majority of the local bus service is operated by First Group. The central part of the city also has water-based routes, operated as the Bristol Ferry Boat, which provide both leisure and commuter services on the harbour. Bristol has over 50 bus and coach services operating in the city, providing links not just around the city but also rail links, park and rides and links to other major UK cities. The majority of the local bus services are operated by First Group.

Bristol has never been well served by suburban railways, though the Severn Beach Line to Avonmouth and Severn Beach survived the Beeching Axe and is still in operation today - in 2006 funding was secured to improve the frequency of services on this line from late 2007. The Portishead Railway was closed in the Beeching Axe but was relaid between 2000-2002 as far as the Royal Portbury Dock with a Strategic Rail Authority rail-freight grant. Plans to relay a further three miles of track to Portishead, a largely dormitory town with only one connecting road, have been discussed but there is insufficient funding to rebuild stations.

The Bristol Ferry Boat operates passenger ferry boat services on Bristol Harbour in the centre of Bristol. Services are operated both for the leisure market and for commuters to and from both the city centre and Bristol Temple Meads railway station, and serve 15 landing stages throughout the length of the harbour. Services are provided by a fleet of historic, yellow painted ferry boats. The north of the city is served by Bristol Parkway railway station.