Improving Bus Provision for Students in Bath
Local bus routes play an integral role in getting students (and staff) to and from campus every day. Reliable, affordable, and accessible bus services are essential for students’ ability to attend lectures, placements, jobs, and social activities.
As a Students’ Union, we regularly lobby the University, bus companies, and the local council to push for good‑quality bus services that meet students’ needs.
What Are Students Experiencing?
Students have consistently raised concerns about bus provision in Bath, including:
- Reliability and frequency of services
- Capacity at peak times
- Route changes and service withdrawals
- Communication when services change
- Affordability and value for money
Transport challenges disproportionately affect students who:
- Live further from campus
- Rely on buses as their primary means of travel
- Cannot walk or cycle due to accessibility needs
Where Do We Want to Be?
The Students’ Union believes that all students should have access to an affordable, accessible, safe, and reliable transport service.
We want a system where:
- Bus services are reliable and frequent at peak student travel times
- Routes meet where students actually live and study
- Students are clearly and quickly informed of changes
- Transport planning is long‑term, not reactive
How Are We Working to Get There?
We campaign on transport through:
- Regular lobbying of the University, bus operators, and local politicians
- Evidence‑based campaigning using student feedback
- Formal representation through SU priorities and standpoints
What Have We Done So Far?
- Summer 2022 Lobbying: Throughout the summer of 2022, SU Officers met with various senior University staff, local politicians, and First Bus company representatives to ensure that students’ concerns regarding transport is considered as a critical issue this year. We have particularly been pushing for improved active and alternative travel provision, a replacement for First’s service 22, and improved communications with students. Specifically, in terms of University staff, Officers have raised the issue of bus provision with the Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Student Experience), Chief Operating Officer, and Director of Education & Student Services.
- Priority Issues in 22-23: We further highlighted the importance of the issue by making transport one of The SU’s Top Ten priority issues this academic year. As one of our central campaigns, we are calling on the University to develop and commit to a five-year transport strategy to improve provision and find a permanent solution. We recognise this is not a new problem, but one that has affected students for years at Bath. We are asking for serious action in the form of a long-term solution. One central benefit of putting an issue on our Top Ten is that the University senior leadership team commit to working with us on the issues throughout the year – we will be having regular meetings with the University's senior management team to ensure progress across the breadth of these issues. Our representatives work hard to be the voice of students and champion the issues that matter to you. Last year, student leaders passed a Standpoint at SUmmit to direct our stance as a Students’ Union: “The SU believe that students should have access to an affordable, accessible, safe and reliable transport service”
- Bus Provision Q&A Event: On 08 November 2022, we hosted a live panel Q&A event with with representatives from the University, First Bus, and Abus. The event was hosted by our SU President, Alexander Robinson, who put forward a range of questions to the panel members. Students in the auidence also put questions directly to the panel. Watch the full Q&A recording here.The main challenges to having a successful bus network for students in Bath:
- The geography (e.g. hills).
- Nationwide shortage of bus drivers.
- Inflation and costs of running a bus service (including fuel costs).
- Existing infrastructure in Bath (e.g. lack of bus lanes).
- Traffic (one way systems, busyness, road works).
How Can Students Get Involved or Share Feedback?
We encourage students to submit feedback directly to First Bus, both positive and negative, as this strengthens our lobbying.
Complete First Bus' Complaints & Feedback Form.
You can also provide feedback to help us build evidence and lobby for change.
How Do I Find Out More?