First West of England launches new m4 metrobus route
First West of England has launched a brand new metrobus service, the m4, between Cribbs Causeway and Bristol. The fast and direct modern buses now link The Mall, Bristol Parkway Station and University of the West of England with the city centre.
The new m4, which started yesterday (22nd January), operates between 06.00 and 23.25 on weekdays, with a later start and earlier finish at weekends. It runs every 20 minutes on Monday to Saturday, and every 30 minutes on Sundays and Bank Holidays. The route serves communities in Patchway and Stoke Gifford. It will also eventually serve the new Brabazon development on the former Filton Airfield.
The environmentally friendly vehicles run on biogas, using food waste as a sustainable fuel. They also have free Wi-Fi and USB charging.
Thanks to £57 million of funding from the West of England Combined Authority, led by Metro Mayor Dan Norris, South Gloucestershire Council along with Network Rail have carried out works along the m4’s new route which include the installation of a new railway bridge and brand-new bus lanes on Gipsy Patch Lane, as well as upgrades to bus stops, installation of bus shelters and iPoints (combined ticket machines and information displays) and landscaping. Other works will also include brand new roads with bus priority through the new Brabazon development.
Doug Claringbold, Managing Director of First West of England, said: “We’re very proud to have launched the new m4 service, the latest member of the metrobus family. Joining the m1, m2 and m3, which have carried over 13 million passengers since they were launched in 2018, the m4 will give even more people the chance to experience the metrobus and travel sustainably on a modern bus network.”