'Lifeline' bus services saved from being axed

Four major bus routes in Somerset have been saved from closure after a deal was struck between the council and the operator.

Somerset Council will continue to fund routes 54 and 25, which travel between Taunton and Yeovil and Taunton and Dulverton respectively, while First will run the 58 (between Yeovil and Wincanton) and the 28 (between Taunton and Minehead) without a subsidy.

The new agreement will secure the bus routes until March 2025.

Peter Travis, co-chair of passenger lobby group the Somerset Bus Partnership, said it was "good news" but added the "devil would be in the detail".

Councillor Richard Wilkins, Somerset Council’s lead member for transport 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."

Meanwhile James Eustace, commercial director at First Bus South said he was "delighted" to have been able to find a solution in partnership with the council.

He added: "While running these services remains commercially challenging, we understand how valued the services are."

Mr Travis had held protests in Yeovil and Wiveliscombe to send a message to the decision makers.

Speaking to BBC Radio Somerset, he said: "We've had lots of local people coming up and just saying 'these buses are a lifeline'.

"They get people to work, they get people to shops, they get people to hospitals.

"This is really, really crucial."

Bridgwater and West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger hailed the saving of the services, saying in a statement: "I think between all of us - Somerset Council, the parishes and the local protestors - we put up a pretty strong case for retention.

"But I am immensely grateful for the huge efforts that Somerset Council leader Bill Revans in particular has devoted to this issue in a period when there are so many other calls on his time.

"Those services are a real lifeline for people needing to get into Taunton for college, or medical appointments or to catch trains and the consequences of losing them would have been unimaginable.

"I am absolutely delighted at this outcome and I would only urge those many, many people who campaigned against the cuts to start taking the bus more often as the best possible method of showing their true support for the services."