Bristol Airport called on to reverse bus route decision

Campaigners have called on Bristol Airport to reinstate free bus travel for elderly travellers.

Diamond Card passengers had been able to make local trips on the A1 Airport Flyer to link up with other services.

The deal ended on Saturday, and local councillor Richard Eddy said it had become a "lifeline" for many.

However, the airport said it needed to increase spare capacity on the route with the number of passengers expected to rise in the coming months.

Sue Mullins said she "utterly" relied on the Airport Flyer as alternative services in her area were difficult to access for those with mobility problems.

The 68-year-old, from Bedminster Down, is backing a campaign by south Bristol councillor Richard Eddy to get the airport to reverse its decision, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. 

"I am concerned that this bus remains available to us and that age concessions continue to be accepted," she said.

When the number of air passengers dropped during the pandemic, the A1 Flyer's route was changed and residents with local council concessionary passes were able to use them, under an arrangement negotiated with Bristol City Council.

However, many airports have recently seen a big increase in passengers as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted in many countries.

Mr Eddy said: "I concede that the A1 Airport Flyer is a commercial service, paid for by the airport, and is not there primarily to plug shortcomings in the public transport system.

"Nevertheless, the No 52 bus service operated by Bristol Community Transport through Highridge and western Bedminster Down is extremely poor, running only five times during a working day, never in the early morning or evening, and not over weekends or on bank holidays.

"While I want to see increased demand for the Airport Flyer, I do not believe in a million years that every seat on a bus which runs every 20 minutes each day will be required by BIA.

"In these circumstances, it seems the airport management is discriminating against the elderly and infirm."

Bristol Airport said: "As travel returns to normal, the A1 Airport Flyer will need to return to being an express service for air passengers and staff.

"But we do offer subsidised bus travel for those living in the rural areas closest to Bristol Airport and holders of the Bristol Airport Local Concessions card."

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