T7 Bristol–Chepstow
| T7 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Operator | Newport Bus |
| Garage | Newport |
| Vehicle | Yutong E12 Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC Previously: MCV Evora |
| Peak vehicle requirement | 3 |
| Began service | 4 January 2021 |
| Predecessors | X7 Severn Express X10/X11/X14 |
| Route | |
| Start | Chepstow |
| Via | Bulwark Cribbs Causeway |
| End | Bristol |
The T7 is a bus service which operated between Bristol and Chepstow. It is part of the TrawsCymru network.
History[edit]
The service was introduced as a partial replacement for the Severn Express, which was withdrawn after 14 June 2020.[1][2] It began operating on 15 June 2020 on a six-month trial basis and was initially numbered X7. It operated during weekdays only and was operated by NAT Group.[3]
Following a tendering process, the route passed from NAT Group to Newport Bus in January 2021.[4][5] At this time, the route was also renumbered T7 and it began running seven days per week.[6]
From 1 November 2021, Newport Bus started funding a third vehicle on the route in an attempt to improve service reliability.[7] On 30 January 2022, journeys were allowed more time in response to congestion. The following month, the Welsh Government pledged to fund the third vehicle.[8]
Route[edit]
The route runs at an hourly frequency from Monday to Saturday, and runs four times in each direction on Sunday. Starting at Chepstow bus station, the route runs through the residential areas of Bulwark and Thornwell and then runs non-stop to Cribbs Causeway via M48 Severn Bridge, M4 and M5. After Cribbs Causeway, the bus runs along the A4018 which takes it through Westbury-on-Trym, across The Downs and Clifton, it then goes past the Bristol Royal Infirmary and then terminates at the end of Marlborough Street in Bristol City Centre. On weekdays and Saturdays, two early morning journeys towards Bristol start at Magor and call at Rogiet, Caldicot, and Portskewett, before continuing to Chepstow and Bristol, and two evening journeys towards Chepstow continue to Magor. On Sundays, the first journey of the day starts at Magor while the last continues to Magor after Chepstow.[9]
References[edit]
- ^ Taylor, Jonathan (30 April 2020). "Stagecoach withdraws Severn Express and X14". CBW. Archived from the original on 24 February 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
- ^ Burkitt, Sian; King, Jasper (20 May 2020). "Call to save valued bus route between Newport and Bristol". BristolLive. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
- ^ Gill, Emily (10 June 2020). "Vital Gwent-Bristol bus service saved at the last minute". South Wales Argus. Archived from the original on 25 June 2020. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
- ^ "New X7 contract tendered for cross-Severn service". Buses Magazine. 17 December 2020. Archived from the original on 19 December 2020. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
- ^ "X7 TrawsHafren Service Update". Adventure Travel. 17 December 2020. Archived from the original on 24 February 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
- ^ Thomas, Nicholas (6 January 2021). "Newport Bus to run Chepstow-Bristol via Cribbs Causeway service". South Wales Argus. Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
- ^ Clark, Rhodri (12 January 2022). "TrawsHafren bus service builds passenger growth". Buses Magazine. Archived from the original on 24 February 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
- ^ Clark, Rhodri (17 February 2022). "Third cross-Severn vehicle added to T7". Buses Magazine. Archived from the original on 17 February 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
- ^ "T7 timetable" (PDF). Newport Bus. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 February 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2022.