Two siblings are among the faces from the local community chosen to appear on Bristol’s brand-new m1 metrobus service.
Fourteen-year-old Hayley Gunning and her eleven-year-old brother, Ethan – who are representing the Bradley Stoke Active Lifestyle Centre – have been selected by First West of England to feature on one of the 21-strong fleet that connects the south and north of the city.
Dozens of community groups and organisations submitted applications, but it’s a mural of the siblings playing basketball at the Active Lifestyle Centre that features at the rear of the 2924 bus, where it will stay for at least three years.
The murals are designed to reflect the important role the new service plays in supporting local communities and they feature a wide range of community groups and independent businesses which are located along the route.
In addition to Bradley Stoke Active Lifestyle Centre, bus riders will be greeted with murals from schools, youth organisations – such as the Bradley Stoke Scouts, Bristol Army Cadet Force and acta Community Theatre – services for the elderly, and even environmental charities.
The m1 metrobus service – the third and longest metrobus route – launched earlier this month.
Bristol Community Transport, who are operating the service under contract to First West of England, have invested in a fleet of new buses – which run on bio-gas generated from food, farm waste and sewage – and have created up to 60 new jobs.
Rob Candlin, Centre Manager at Bradley Stoke Active Lifestyle Centre, said: “We’re thrilled that the photo of Hayley and Ethan playing at our Centre has been chosen – and we’re excited for our customers to spot the mural of them on the bus!
“As an organisation, our objective is to bring the community together and inspire active lifestyles across all levels of health and wellbeing. To be featured on a bus service that plays such an important role in connecting local communities feels very appropriate – especially as it runs right past our Centre!”
The launch of m1 follows the successful introduction of the m3 and m2 routes that were launched in May and September last year. Since its launch, the service has already carried more than 25,000 customers.
James Freeman, Managing Director of m1 operator First Bus West of England said: “The vehicles and drivers that BCT are committing to this service are providing a vital service supporting local communities. We wanted to reflect this on the vehicles in order to showcase just a few of the many organisations and groups along our route that contribute so much to making the community a more inclusive place to live and work.”
Bradley Stoke Active Lifestyle Centre is one of five Lifestyle Centres and a dual-use Sports Centre operated across South Gloucestershire by the not for profit organisation Circadian Trust.
To find out more about Bradley Stoke Active Lifestyle Centre, please visit: https://www.activecentres.org/centres/bradley-stoke/
Alternatively, for more information on metrobus Bristol, please visit: https://metrobusbristol.co.uk/
