Connecting Bristol by boat

Less than a year after the community bought Bristol’s ferry service, the distinctive blue and yellow boats have never been busier. Director and manager of the Bristol Ferry...

Less than a year after the community bought Bristol’s ferry service, the distinctive blue and yellow boats have never been busier.

Director and manager of the Bristol Ferry Boat Company, Philippa Bungard, said the ferry terminal next to Bristol Temple Meads Station, in particular, was busier than ever. “Since we’ve become a community benefit society we’ve had a lot of media attention,” she said. “Bristol has also been named European Green Capital 2015. People are taking green transport in Bristol seriously.”

The co-op formed last July to save the ferry service and ensure it was regular, reliable, friendly and affordable. It has since expanded the pleasure trip side of the business, which subsidises the scheduled service. The company now has over 870 shareholders, and employs nine full time staff (all of whom are co-op members) and 25 part time workers.

“The evening trips and private trips make more money than the scheduled service,” explains Mrs Bungard. “We’ve been running at a loss through the winter but it’s helped to increase the profile of the service. It was always our intention to be part of an integrated transport system.”

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