The Somerset Bus Partnership has welcomed a £24.7 million funding boost aimed at strengthening the county’s bus services up to 2030. This funding, provided by the Department for Transport (DfT), comes through the local authority bus grant, which offers crucial financial support to councils in England and Wales to subsidize local buses and related infrastructure.
Replacing the earlier Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIPs) grants introduced post-pandemic, this multi-year settlement allocates Somerset’s funding almost evenly between capital and revenue streams. Capital funding supports large-scale projects like new buses and transport hubs, while revenue funding covers day-to-day operations, including fare subsidies.
Somerset Council will receive a total of £24,741,113 between the 2026/27 and 2029/30 financial years. Of this, £13,148,886 is designated for revenue spending through April 2029, enabling fare caps such as the one on the Taunton park and ride service. The remaining £11,592,227, earmarked for capital expenses through April 2030, will fund key developments including Taunton’s new transport hub and the rural Langport counterpart.
These funds complement the government’s existing £3 single fare cap, guaranteed until March 2027, enhancing affordability for passengers.
Barrie Childs from the Somerset Bus Partnership praised the announcement during the council’s Planning and Transport Policy Executive Sub-Committee meeting on December 10. He noted the allocation includes £3 million for potential bus franchising expenses and urged the council to maintain its current level of budget commitment to supported bus services.
Revenue support is critical for routes with marginal commercial viability but essential social value, such as the 25 service (Taunton-Wiveliscombe) and the 28 service (Taunton-Minehead via Williton and Watchet). Amid Somerset Council’s significant £73 million budget gap next year, these subsidies have been carefully reviewed in consultation with bus operators and the Somerset Bus Partnership.
Councillor Mike Rigby, portfolio holder for economic development, planning, and assets, confirmed that previously proposed budget cuts to supported bus services have been removed due to the government’s funding assurance. He explained that the government grant is designed to sustain services that are crucial but not commercially viable, while also allowing improvements.
“We will continue to review supported services annually with bus operators,” said Rigby, “balancing commercial operations with community needs to ensure socially necessary routes remain available.”
This funding package represents a significant commitment to maintaining and enhancing Somerset’s public transport network, securing reliable and affordable bus services for communities across the county for years to come.