Business leaders, politicians and representatives of community and cultural and organisations joined schoolchildren today on the maiden journey of Bristol’s delayed Metrobus service, the m3.
The first route of the £230m rapid transit system goes live at the end of this month and marks the beginning of one of the largest projects of its kind in the city region. 
Operated by transport group First West of England, m3 will provide a rapid public transport service from Emersons Green in South Gloucestershire to the city centre. First has invested £10m in vehicles as part of the Metrobus development.
The m2 service, from Long Ashton Park and Ride via Temple Meads to the city centre and also operated by First West of England, will start in the autumn. Bristol Community Transport will operate the m1 route from Hengrove to Cribbs Causeway, which will begin operating in January.
m3 was originally due to start last year but was delayed by ticketing technology problems and spiralling costs.
Officially unveiling the m3 at Bristol & Bath Science Park, First West of England managing director James Freeman said: “This is a landmark for local public transport and, in particular, for the bus in the city-region. Metrobus combines low emissions, new customer-facing technologies and infrastructure on a massive scale. 
“It will revolutionise public transport with faster journeys and a much higher standard in passenger experience. It provides the foundation on which we can build a public transport system fit for the future in the city region which is the powerhouse of the regional economy.”
Bristol Chamber of Commerce and West of England Initiative at Business West chief executive James Durie added: “Today marks a significant step forward in public transport provision for this city region and the m3/Metrobus will help support its future growth and development by helping to better connect people with their places of work and learning. After many years of work it is great to see it now up and running.
“It is also fitting that the launch has taken place at the Bristol & Bath Science Park, one of our significant employment areas which is continuing to grow. However, this route and service is one of many steps this city-region is taking to increase and improve mobility which helps tackle congestion and supports our economy. This is something business have long asked for, helped to bring about and want to see more of – and as soon as possible.”
UWE vice-chancellor Prof Steve West said he was delighted that Metrobus stops at UWE Bristol as it would provide affordable, accessible and convenient travel for thousands of our students between Frenchay campus and the city centre.
“It will also provide an excellent additional transport option for our staff, industry partners and visitors. We look forward to seeing the new buses on the m3 route serving our campus from later this month,” he said.
Science park manager Tom Beasley said: “Our tenants have warmly welcomed the arrival of the m3 route, which stops at the Park. Many of those who have business operations here are extremely conscious about how they travel to and from their place of work in terms of their impact on the environment.
“It is great to see an environmentally friendly public transport option that will serve our tenants almost up to the door of the park. m3, and Metrobus as a whole, will also be key to bringing the innovation community closer together across the city-region to support future collaborations and with it economic growth.”
m3 will officially enter service on May 29 and will offer free travel until June 9 to give as many people as possible the opportunity to experience it. From June 9 m3, as with all Metrobus routes, will operate on a simple zonal fare structure with single journey tickets in a single zone costing £1.50, which First says makes it one of the cheapest single journey fares in the country. An all-zone single journey will be £2.50 and a day ticket £4.
Mr Freeman added: “We are pushing the boundaries of bus travel to fulfil our ambition of being the smartest way to go about the region in every sense – from providing convenience and affordability to enhancing accessibility and air quality.”
“We are planning to continue our fleet transformation programme, which over the past two years has led to the arrival of almost 150 new vehicles, equipped with the cleanest Euro VI engines, which improve air quality along the routes they operate.
“We are also looking to grow convenient, cashless payments further so that eventually the great majority of all tickets will be purchased this way.”
