We are delighted to confirm that South Gloucestershire Council have agreed to support the 84/85 bus service with funding until April 2024, when hopefully a more permanent solution can be found.

This has come after many months of campaigning by local residents, and recent discussions between The Big Lemon and South Gloucestershire Council. The service had been due to be withdrawn at the end of August but on Thursday last week councillors voted to support funding for the service for the rest of the financial year.

We’re really pleased that funding has been agreed to enable us to continue to run the service through to next year. The 84/85 bus is a vital community service, providing a lifeline to so many people in the area. A massive well done to campaigners working so hard to save the service, and huge thanks to South Gloucestershire councillors for listening to residents and working hard to secure the funding.

As a social enterprise, The Big Lemon exists to provide affordable, sustainable transport to local communities, so rather than maximise profits at the expense of communities, we aim to work with local authorities and the community to ensure bus services can be provided in the most affordable, sustainable and socially beneficial way, for as long as possible. We’re delighted that the 84/85 bus can continue, and will work with campaigners and the local authority to give it the best chance of a long-term future.

Tom Druitt, CEO