New Pride buses unveiled to celebrate LGBTQ+ communities
July 10th, 2026
Vibrant new Pride buses are taking to the roads of the West of England this week, celebrating LGBTQ+ communities and marking the culmination of Bristol Pride fortnight.Created through a partnership between the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and First Bus, two specially liveried green buses featuring a new rainbow design will promote inclusion, visibility and pride in the region for the next 12 months.
The launch comes as the region prepares for its biggest annual Pride Day on Saturday (11 July), when around 40,000 people are expected to take part in one of the UK’s largest celebrations of LGBTQ+ communities. The free-to-join Parade March will gather from 10am at St Peter’s Church in Castle Park, with one of the Pride buses joining the procession as it heads through Bristol city centre from 11am.
Through Culture West, the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority is proud to be supporting Bristol Pride on the Downs this year. The Circus Tent stage will, as a result, feature a vibrant programme of live poetry, comedy, music, dance and circus performances, as well as supporting the local creatives, programmers, producers and technicians that help to make these events happen.
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said: “The West of England is a diverse and welcoming region where everyone should feel safe, respected and able to be themselves. Bristol Pride, alongside events in Bath, Weston, and other parts of our region, are a hugely important part of our cultural calendar, bringing people together to celebrate our diversity. I wasn’t sure that our new green buses could get any better, but I’ll be proud to see the Pride buses travelling across our progressive region as symbols of acceptance and belonging.”
Doug Claringbold, Regional Director, South and West at First Bus, said: “Our business is on a journey to a place where everyone is welcome, can be their true selves and can succeed. We have Inclusion Networks made up of colleagues with lived experience and/or allies of the particular community, covering every role and every level. This is helping us to build a team that represents the diversity and difference in the communities we serve.”
Daryn Carter MBE, Director of Bristol Pride, said: “We’re very excited to see the new Pride buses join the fleet. Bristol Pride is one of the largest Pride events in the UK, and one of the biggest festivals to take place in the region. Over the festival we programme over 60 events, supporting venues, communities and businesses across the region. We will welcome thousands of people to Pride Day on Saturday 11 July and after Pride, the buses continue to be lasting reminder throughout the year of the community, acceptance and support that makes our region so special.”
The award-winning Bristol Pride Festival is one of the most prominent in the UK, celebrating LGBTQ+ communities, promoting equality and diversity as well as an opportunity to combat the rising incidents of hate crime. Details of Saturday’s Pride Day events can be found here. Festival ticket holders with wristbands can travel free of charge all day with First Bus services. A dedicated Pride shuttle bus service will also be running between Canons Way and The Downs, with a specific double-decker bus alongside the shuttle service displaying “Accessibility Bus” on the destination screen. This has been designated for customers who may be more comfortable and confident in using a quieter mode of transport. More details on event transport can be found here.
A pioneering cultural development programme, Culture West invests in the creative sector for which the West of England is globally recognised, prioritising projects that drive participation, interaction, and collaboration. It has generated 45 full time jobs for creative professionals, commissioned live events and exhibitions reaching an audience of almost 200,000 people, and provided 109 Creative Freelancer Grants to artists from across the region.
Images: Doug Claringbold, Regional Director, South and West at First Bus; Daryn Carter MBE, Director of Bristol Pride and Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England
Photo credit: West of England Mayoral Combined Authority
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