Somerset Council is committed to maintaining crucial bus services across the county by subsidising 82 routes that would otherwise be unable to operate commercially. These subsidies help link communities and provide essential travel options for residents without access to cars, allowing safe journeys to school, work, and leisure activities.
Approximately 30% of the annual subsidy, roughly £2 million, is funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) through the Somerset Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), with the remaining funds coming from the council’s own transport budget.
Following confirmation of funding in late July, the council has released the full list of the 82 supported routes, guaranteeing their operation over the next 12 months. These services span key destinations including Yeovil, Taunton, Bridgwater, Frome, Minehead, and many smaller communities.
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Among the supported routes are:
- Route 1: Yeovil to Shepton Mallet via Sparkford and Castle Cary
- Route 10: Porlock to Minehead via Allerford and Selworthy
- Route 21/21A: Taunton to Burnham-on-Sea via Bridgwater
- Route 51: Yeovil town service – Abbey Manor Park to Cavalier Way
- Route 374: Taunton to Bristol via Street, Glastonbury, and Wells
Councillor Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder for transport and waste services, emphasized the importance of these subsidies: “Without our support, many of these vital bus routes would likely disappear. Our goal is to keep communities connected, helping people reach work, education, shops, and leisure activities. But these services need to be used regularly to continue being sustainable. We encourage residents to travel by bus at least once or twice a week.”
Additionally, the £3 cap on single fares remains in place across all Somerset bus services and routes crossing county borders until March 2027, with potential for further extension by the government.
Beyond revenue support, the BSIP includes plans for significant capital investments to enhance bus infrastructure across the county. Feasibility studies are underway for new transport hubs in Bridgwater and Yeovil, the latter possibly integrated with regeneration plans for the Glovers Walk site.
Somerset Council’s ongoing investment demonstrates its commitment to preserving and improving public transport, ensuring mobility and connectivity for all residents throughout the county.