NORTH Somerset residents are in with a chance of getting free bus tickets for the X10 service this Saturday (May 25).

North Somerset Council and X10 operator Transpora will be holding a free, informative event from 12pm until 3pm at Parish Wharf Leisure Centre.

Attendees will be able to learn more about travelling on the service which connects Clevedon, Portishead, Cribbs Causeway, Filton and Southmead Hospital.

The family-friendly event will also give children a chance to board the X10 bus and sit in the driver's seat, along with free colouring-in activities.

After being stopped in 2021 due to low usage, the council reintroduced the service after 3,000 residents signed a petition.

In April 2024, operator Transpora Bus took over the X10, expanding its offering to link communities to Southmead Hospital, SGS College’s Filton Campus and Cribbs Causeway. With further connecting services to Bristol Parkway and destinations such as Chepstow and Chipping Sodbury. 

Simon Newport, head of Commercial for Transpora, said: “We are excited and proud to be operating the X10.

"It is great to be working with our local authority partners and the local community to provide this service.

"We now need to take it forward and encourage more people to use the bus to travel to places like Cribbs Causeway and Southmead Hospital. We look forward to meeting and giving out free tickets to the community on Saturday.” 

Cllr Hannah Young, Executive Member for Highways and Transport at North Somerset Council, added: “Our residents asked for the X10 to be brought back and we listened and worked hard to find an operator who would take it on - now it is important we make the most of the service.

"With half-term beginning this weekend and the summer holidays coming up, it’s a great time to make use of the free tickets on offer and explore our local area.

"Pop by our event on Saturday 25 May to get your free ticket, and to join in with some fun family activities.” 

The new X10 service is part of North Somerset's Bus Improvement Service Plan, which aims to make bus journeys greener and more affordable.