Keynsham residents have welcomed the news that the crucial K1 bus service, which was due to be discontinued this summer due to funding ending, will now continue operating for another three years.
West of England mayor Helen Godwin announced the extension, expressing her hope that the decision would support many local people. “I hope that helps people. I hope you feel heard and listened to,” she said.
Originally, the K1 bus was to be replaced by the new K2 bus service. However, the two routes serve different parts of the town. While both buses connect the Chocolate Quarter area with Keynsham town centre, the K1 serves the western and southern areas, providing essential access for many residents. In contrast, the K2 only serves the east side of the town, which is generally considered more affluent.
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Councillor Dave Biddleston, representing Keynsham South for Labour, expressed his satisfaction with the decision to retain the K1 service. “I couldn’t be more pleased that Weca have kept our K1 bus. It will continue to provide transport to school for our children, deliver our seniors to medical appointments, and take residents to the High Street,” he commented.
He also encouraged the community to make greater use of the service, saying, “I’d encourage everyone to use it more, that way we can begin our arguments for the town [to] have a K3.”
The K1 route was one of several launched under the West of England Combined Authority’s WESTlocal scheme, which empowers local communities to establish their own bus services. Both the K1 and K2 buses will continue operating until at least March 2029, when their services will be reviewed.
Despite the positive development, Councillor Biddleston noted that further improvements remain necessary. “There are still improvements to be made for Keynsham. However laudable the intention, not everyone is able to cycle, and provision should be made for bus transport, equal to the provision that B&NES is giving for cyclists,” he added.