Somerset Council has made a significant commitment to keep 82 bus routes operational across the county throughout this year, safeguarding essential transportation for commuters, students, and leisure travelers who depend on these services.
Many of these routes, which connect towns, villages, and rural communities throughout Somerset, rely heavily on council funding to continue running. Approximately 30% of these routes receive nearly £2 million in support from the Government’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), while the remaining routes are maintained through the council’s public transport budget.
Councillor Richard Wilkins, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Transport and Waste Services, emphasized the importance of this move: “We support a huge range of bus services up and down the county, because if we didn’t, there is a very real chance they could be lost. Our priority as a council is to keep communities connected — whether that’s getting people to work, school, the shops, or out enjoying what Somerset has to offer.”
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He added a call to action for residents, encouraging regular use of local bus services to help sustain them: “We can’t keep supporting routes if they’re not being used — so wherever you’re going, make sure you try and bus it there at least once or twice a week.”
This announcement is part of a wider package of public transport investments backed by over £6 million in BSIP funding allocated for 2025/26. These funds will support various improvements across Somerset’s bus network, enhancing reliability, accessibility, and overall service quality.
Somerset Council remains committed to promoting the use of local bus services, urging residents to take advantage of the expanding network to ensure its long-term sustainability and continued connection of the county’s diverse communities.