Travel on four under-threat Somerset bus routes will be free on December 19

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FREE bus travel on four under-threat Somerset bus routes to boost numbers

Paul JonesDecember 11, 20230 Comment0

BUS travel on four Somerset routes will be completely free on Tuesday, December 19.

First Bus South, which operates Buses of Somerset, will be taking passengers for free all day on routes 25, 28, 54 and 58/58A.

The initiative has been put together in partnership with Somerset Council and the Somerset Bus Partnership.

It aims to highlight the services, which are currently at risk of being dropped or reduced at the end of March next year.

Somerset Council is currently subsidising the routes using ring-fenced Government Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus (BSIP Plus) funding.

First Bus South says it cannot continue to operate the routes without subsidy because currently not enough passengers are using them.

Passengers will not require a ticket, voucher or any form of code on Tuesday, December 19, they can simply jump on and ride for free.

Somerset bus routes offering free travel on December 19 are:
54: Yeovil-Taunton, including stops at Langport, Somerton and Ilchester
58/58A: Yeovil-Wincanton, including Sherborne, Milborne Port, Henstridge
25: Taunton-Dulverton, including Cotford St Luke, Norton Fitzwarren and Wiveliscombe
28:Taunton-Minehead, including Bishop’s Lydeard, Williton, Watchet and Dunster

The latest round of the ‘Bus It’ campaign – supported by the Somerset Bus Partnership and Buses of Somerset – aims to support these four at-risk routes and boost passenger numbers.

In the face of massive budget pressures, including declaring a financial emergency, Somerset Council cannot commit to supporting the services from April.

However, First Bus South has said it will review the routes before the funding ends next year, taking into account new data on passenger uptake.

Somerset Council’s lead member for transport and digital, Councillor Mike Rigby, said: “This is an excellent initiative. We’re grateful to First Bus South for doing this, and we hope it will persuade people to try out their local bus route and have a great day out, while leaving the car at home for a change.

“It might not be free the rest of the year, but bus fares are just £2 for any single journey in Somerset until December 2024, that’s amazing value.

“We really want people to value and help protect these routes and the best way of doing that is to use them.

“The services are more reliable and if you choose to Bus It to work or the shops you will be saving hard-earned cash. It’s worth checking our Bus It page to find out more.”

First Bus South director, James Eustace, said: “We’re proud to be supporting this fantastic initiative, helping people realise the many benefits of using the buses.

“By offering free travel, we want to encourage people to try the bus, perhaps to go to their Christmas shopping, go to a restaurant, or to explore the local area.”

Somerset Council and the Somerset Bus Partnership launched the ‘Bus It’ campaign last summer in a bid to encourage more people to ‘Bus It’.

To find out more, log on to www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-travel-and-parking/bus-it-you-know-it-makes-sense. And to plan your journey on these and all Somerset bus routes, visit somerset.thinktravel.info.