UNDER-threat bus routes in Somerset – including the 58 service between Wincanton and Yeovil – have been saved for another year.

Somerset Council and First Bus South, which operates Buses of Somerset, have agreed a deal to ensure four routes can continue.

It was feared the services could be lost as the council looks to cut costs amid a financial crisis and falling passenger numbers.

Last autumn, the council stepped in with funding to save the routes – but as it faces a £100 million funding deficit, the subsidy was at risk of being axed.

Now, routes 25 (Taunton – Dulverton), 28 (Taunton – Minehead), 54 (Taunton – Yeovil) and 58 (Yeovil – Wincanton) will continue.

The agreement will keep the services running until the end of March 2025. The 54 and 25 will continue to be supported using Government funding from the Bus Service Improvement Grant (BSIP Plus), provided by Somerset Council, and Buses of Somerset has agreed to run the 58 and 28 services without subsidy.

Buses of Somerset will continue to run and promote the services for a further year while working with Somerset Council and Somerset Bus Partnership to maintain an ongoing campaign to encourage bus use.

In summary:
Services 54, 58 and 58a all remain unchanged.
Service 25 from Dulverton – Wiveliscombe – Taunton will continue to serve all points of the route, but in order to ensure the service remains viable, the timetable will see some changes.
Some daytime journeys will divert on the Service 28 through Cotford St Luke and North Fitzwarren at certain times of the day, these will be renumbered 28a.
Service 28 will be revised, including some direct journeys between Taunton and Minehead, with an express service to Butlins numbered X28, which will operate Mondays to Fridays.
Following feedback, the evening services will be retimed to align with trains serving Taunton station.

READ MORE: Fears bus routes could be lost amid Somerset Council financial crisis

Further detail on the changes will be announced shortly, the council said.

Councillor Richard Wilkins, the council’s lead member for transport and digital, said: “We’re really pleased to be able to make this announcement today, after long and detailed negotiations.

“We know how important these services are for people and we’ve recently seen the strength of feeling around ensuring they are protected.

“Passenger numbers have been rising, which is positive, this trend still needs to continue to ensure the long-term future of the routes.

“The message to everyone is please do keep using and valuing these services, and we will continue to work with Buses of Somerset and Somerset Bus Partnership to promote bus travel.”

James Eustace, commercial director at First Bus South, which operates Buses of Somerset, added: “Reducing or withdrawing services is the last thing we want to do, so we’re delighted to have found a solution with Somerset Council that allows the four routes to continue to run.

“While running these services remains commercially challenging, we understand how valued the services are, which is why we’ve agreed to support the local community and continue to run the 28 and 58 routes without financial assistance.

“However, we need to be clear that for buses services to continue operating in the long term they need to continually be commercially sustainable and cover their cost of operations. We will continue to work closely with the council and Somerset bus user groups to encourage more people to use the bus.”

Figures show that bus use has increased by 32 per cent across the county between January and June 2023 thanks to initiatives such as fare capping and the Bus It campaign.