Somerset Council is expanding its highly successful Slinky service by acquiring seven new minibuses, following 18 months of impressive performance. The Slinky service offers digital demand-responsive transport, allowing residents to pre-book rides for shopping, medical appointments, and other essential journeys in areas underserved by traditional public transport.
Since the Digital Slinky relaunch in May 2024, supported by central government funding, the service has completed over 10,000 trips across the county. To build on this momentum, the council is investing government grants to purchase six additional wheelchair-accessible diesel minibuses. This expansion will enable the service to grow while minimizing downtime for maintenance on existing vehicles.
In addition, a seventh electric minibus will be bought to bolster the number 30 bus route in Frome. Each new diesel minibus offers 16 seats and will mainly serve communities in Taunton, Wellington, and the former Sedgemoor district, which includes Bridgwater, Burnham-on-Sea, Cheddar, Highbridge, and North Petherton.
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While the council has not disclosed the exact cost of these vehicles, the entire purchase will be funded through grants from the Department for Transport (DfT), ensuring no financial burden on local taxpayers.
Lee Jones, Somerset Council’s service manager for transport operations, shared insights into the Slinky’s recent trial phase in Somerton: “The prior trial of the Digital Slinky upgrade has been a tremendous success since its launch. The new minibuses are designed so seats can be folded up to accommodate wheelchair users easily. This flexibility allows the team to process wheelchair bookings just like any other, even within an hour of travel, eliminating delays caused by needing to reconfigure vehicles."
Jones added, “The arrival of these seven new vehicles not only improves accessibility but also ensures the service remains dependable by allowing current vehicles to undergo repairs without disrupting operations.”
The Digital Slinky is an integral part of Somerset Council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), which aims to enhance the county’s bus network through investment in infrastructure—like the forthcoming Taunton transport hub—and operational measures, such as keeping Taunton’s park and ride fares affordable to increase ridership.
Councillor Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder for transport and waste services, highlighted the importance of demand-responsive transport in Somerset’s rural landscape: “The success of the Digital Slinky is a testament to its role as a vital lifeline for residents without easy access to traditional bus routes or private vehicles. The team’s efforts in Somerton and Langport have been outstanding—this is a landmark achievement. Digital Slinky is a reliable, affordable, and user-friendly transport alternative open to everyone.”