On Tuesday 6 February, Somerset Bus Partnership attended Somerset Council’s Bus Advisory Board where it was announced by First Bus (who run 92% of buses in Somerset) that the following bus services are either to be withdrawn or will have significant reductions as from April 14th:
- 54 Taunton to Yeovil via Langport and Somerton withdrawn in its entirety.
- 58 Yeovil to Wincanton via Templecombe and Sherborne withdrawn in its entirety
- 25 Taunton and Dulverton via Norton Fitzwarren, Cotford St Luke, Milverton and Wiveliscombe will be reduced to 3 hourly and only call at Cotford St Luke at peak hours.
- 28 Taunton to Minehead, via Bishops Lyderad, Williton, Watchet, Washford and Minehead will be reduced from 30 minutes to every 45 minutes with some occasional journeys diverted via Cotford St Luke and Norton Fitzwarren.
This is of major concern to the Somerset Bus Partnership and potentially leaves your community with either no bus or significantly reduced bus services such that they will become unattractive to enable and promote passenger growth.
In September 2019, the Government set out how it would launch a revolution in bus services – delivering a better deal for bus users and committing to publishing a National Bus Strategy.
In March 2020, the Prime Minister announced that bus services across the country would be transformed with simpler fares, thousands of new buses, improved routes and higher frequencies. The reality in Somerset is this has not been the case.
We are asking you as local representatives to take this matter up with your local MP, Somerset Council and First South (operator of the various routes). We are asking you to support our campaign to fully fund and retain the full operation of these routes.
RALLY IN SUPPORT OF SAVING OUR BUSES
We are planning a rally in support of these bus services, at 11:00am on Saturday February 10th at The Borough bus stop, near 17 High Street (Caffe Nero) in Yeovil (and in due course at other locations across Somerset). We would like to invite you to take part to show your support.
If you are able to hold a campaign in defence of communities affected by these changes, then please let us know and we can see how we can support you.
Sign The Petition that calls for these vital routes to be retained.