Calls to fully restore vital Dursley 62 bus link to Bristol

Passengers have described the 62 bus service, which stops at Sharpness, Berkeley, and Falfield, as an important route for accessing supermarkets and GP appointments. 

The bus service - which ends in Thornbury - also stops at Cam and Dursley railway station and Gloucestershire Science and Technology Park. 

The route previously used to run directly to Bristol when it was run by Bristol Community Transport, before the bus operator collapsed in September 2022. 

At the time, there were fears the service would be axed but Gloucestershire County Council found a new operator Applegates.

However, the route was changed and the city connection was removed. 

As a result, there is currently no direct bus to Bristol from Dursley, with passengers having to change at Thornbury on First Bus’s T1 service.

Dursley and Cam Transportation Group have repeatedly criticised the move, as have commuters on social media and Dursley county councillor Wendy Thomas. 

It is understood for the service to be returned to its old route it would require extra funding from GCC or the West of England Combined Authority. 

It comes as the route is due to be taken over by Welsh bus operator Gwent Vales Coaches, which will operate the 62 service from Friday, April 8. 

They will follow the same timetable as Applegates, and will not pass through Bristol.

“It is extremely disappointing"

County Councillor Cllr Wendy Thomas (L, Dursley) said: “It is really a blow that the 62 service from Dursley to Bristol has not been properly restored by GCC. 

“When the original provider went out of business over a year ago, an emergency solution was found, but it was woefully insufficient and meant that people relying on the 62 to get from Dursley or Berkeley for work in Bristol were no longer able to do so.

“I am aware that residents and the Cam and Dursley Transportation Group have been lobbying GCC for over a year to get the service fully reinstated. 

“It is extremely disappointing that these efforts have fallen on deaf ears, especially at a time where GCC has announced it has received significant extra funding (£4.4 million over 2 years) to expand local bus services and is looking to improve services in Stroud district, including Berkeley Vale.”

Many residents rely on the route 

County Councillor Brian Tipper (C, Berkeley and Cam) said: “I'm pleased the council have been able to keep this important bus route that I know many residents rely on. 

“For the last year I have been on the cross party Bus Service Improvement Task and Finish group and along with colleagues have challenged officers to continuously improve bus services across the county – including one day restoring a direct service to Bristol when resources allow.

“One thing to be aware of is that by restoring the original route as it was we will possibly lose elements of service that were introduced courtesy of Applegates.”

"Resources are not available" say GCC 

According to GCC, the route is one of the most subsidised routes in Gloucestershire. 

They say a direct link to Bristol would require an extra vehicle and driver on the contract which could double the price.

According to the government website, the county council will pay £271k to Gwent Vales for the 62 service contract, which will last 15 months before being renewed. 

A spokesperson for GCC said: “We stepped in to provide this service at very little notice when the former operator ceased operating in 2022.

"We have continued to provide this service at considerable cost, recognising the importance of connecting these communities.

"Unfortunately resources are not available to reinstate a route all the way through to Bristol, but passengers are able to change at Thornbury which has a frequent service to Bristol for those wishing to continue their journey.”

In other news, the 60 service between Thornbury and Dursley was recently taken over by Transpora Bus on Monday, February 19 - the service used to be run by Stagecoach. 

According to the government website, the county council will pay £1.1 million for the 60 service contract, which will last five years.