Bus operator, First West of England, will be adjusting its timetables over the Christmas and New Year period, with some

late night journeys not operating on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve, and no services operating at all on Christmas Day,

Boxing Day or New Year’s Day.

James Freeman, Managing Director of First West of England, said: “Each year we adjust our services during the festive season to reflect the change in customer demand. Of course, this year we have had to have a slightly different approach due to the pandemic.

“Our priority is, as always, keeping customers moving safely and reliably so that they can reach their destinations. Furthermore, the arrangements we have made for this year make best use of our people – by having no service on 25th, 26th December and 1st January we can make sure that everything else will operate as scheduled.”

First provides several useful planning tools to support customers in planning their travel effectively and urges everyone to take advantage of these, as it is still running socially distanced services which are likely to become busier now lockdown has been lifted.

The business is also reminding customers that as we re-enter the Tier system, there are some other simple things everyone can do to make their journeys safer and more convenient:

* Don’t travel between Tiers, in particular, between Bristol and Bath or Wells, unless for work or education;

* Wear a face covering and keep windows open

* Use Space Checker to try and travel at less busy times and use the app to buy tickets, track your bus and see how many seats are available

* The contactless Tap & Cap payment system makes boarding easier, faster, and ensures that customers get the best on-bus fare (available in Bristol and on metrobus services).

* Don’t leave Christmas shopping to the last minute and think about travelling at quieter times: check local shopping centre websites to see if they have extended opening hours.

James Freeman added: “It’s been a year like no other, and we’d like to thank all of our customers for their ongoing patience and cooperation as we have all coped with Covid. We hope that we can look forward to a more positive 2021.”

For more information on First Bus services over Christmas and New Year, or to view the timetables of a particular route, visit: www.firstgroup.com/xmas2020