Taunton park and ride to get new double decker buses

Double-decker buses will be used for park and ride sites as a new operator takes over the service.

Stagecoach South West is taking over the Taunton service after Buses of Somerset claimed it was "no longer viable", despite a rise in passengers.

The service will operate six days a week from both sites with double-decker buses used along both routes.

Tickets will remain at £1 for any single trip until 31 March 2025, with the council subsidising the service.

Buses will service the routes from 06:00 GMT to 20:00 on weekdays, with a slightly later start on Saturdays and buses operating every 20 minutes.

Councillor Richard Wilkins said: "Taunton's park and ride is a vital part of the town's transport infrastructure and has shown a significant increase in patronage in the last two years.

"Thousands of commuters make use of the service every week, helping to cut the number of cars going into town during peak hours."

Part of the Gateway site will continue to be leased out to EDF Energy, allowing it to operate its own park-and-ride service for employees travelling to the Hinkley Point C construction site.

Follow BBC West on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: [email protected]