Bristol park and ride

Until 2011, the park & ride routes were operated by First Bristol and Wessex Bus.[1][2] On 5 September 2011, route 904 was taken over by CT Plus using ex First London, London Central and London General Mercedes-Benz Citaro O530Gs with route 903 passing from Wessex to First.[3][4]

On 2 April 2012, CT Plus took over the operation of route 902.[5] In April 2014, route 505 was extended to Long Ashton to become a park & ride route.[6]

In September 2014, Wessex Bus commenced operating a new park and ride service, the 901 between Portway and Clifton;[6] this service ceased in September 2016.[7]

The existing contracts expire in September 2016, with options to extend for a further three years.[6]

The system consists of five routes:[8]

• 9: Portway P&R to Brislington P&R via City Centre and Temple Meads, operated by Stagecoach West[9]
• 505: Long Ashton to Bristol Zoo and Southmead Hospital, operated by Stagecoach West[10]

• metrobus m2: Long Ashton to Bristol, operated by First West of England[11]

• metrobus m3: Lyde Green to Bristol via UWE's Frenchay campus, operated by First West of England[12]

• Y1: Chipping Sodbury and Yate to Bristol, operated by First West of England

There has been significant, and increasing, investment in the scheme by Bristol City Council.[13]

The council consider that this facility has reduced city centre congestion.[14]

The m2 and m3 services operate a buy before you board system through use of ticket machines at bus stops. This is designed to reduce boarding times. [15]