In a last-minute agreement, Somerset Council and First Bus South have secured the future of four crucial bus services in Somerset, ensuring their operation for the next 12 months. The services, including the 25, 28, 54, and 58, were at risk of being withdrawn due to low passenger numbers. However, the council intervened, utilizing central government funding to maintain the services and initiating a campaign to boost passenger numbers as part of the wider bus service improvement plan (BSIP). The agreement with First Bus South will allow all four services to continue until March 31, 2025, with some modifications to enhance their commercial viability.
Under the arrangement, the 25 and 54 services will be subsidized through BSIP funding, while the 28 and 58 services will operate without further subsidy. The 54 route, crucial for GP patients from Ilchester and neighboring villages, has garnered community support, with proposals to extend it to Yeovilton to tap into potential business and enhance its commercial viability. Additionally, alterations to the 25, 28, and 58 routes, including timetable revisions and the introduction of an X28 express service, aim to improve their viability and alignment with train journeys.
The news of these routes being safeguarded has been welcomed by local MPs and parliamentary candidates, emphasizing the importance of public transport links in rural areas. Both the Liberal Democrat and Conservative MPs expressed their relief and appreciation for the efforts to save these vital services, urging increased passenger numbers to ensure their long-term sustainability.