Use it or lose it – and it's FREE

Somerset Council and the Somerset Bus Partnership are holding a free bus travel day – 19th December 2023

The initiative aims to highlight services which are currently at risk of being dropped or reduced at the end of March 2024. Read more about that HERE or HERE alongside how you can volunteer to help.

In a nutshell, whilst Somerset Council is currently subsidising these routes using ring-fenced Government Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus (BSIP Plus) funding, budget pressures mean it cannot commit to supporting the services from April 2024. The authority recently declared a financial emergency driven by spiralling demands and costs of care.

The operator, First Bus South, says it cannot continue to operate the routes without a subsidy because not enough passengers are using them. However, it has said it will review the routes before the funding ends next year, taking into account new data on passenger uptake.

So you know what to do (or do more of) if you want the 54 bus to survive!

But back to the 19th December – you will not need a ticket, a pass or a voucher, just jump on and ride for free!

The routes are as follows:

• 54: Yeovil-Taunton, including stops at Langport, Somerton and Ilchester
• 58/58A: Yeovil-Wincanton, including Sherborne, Milborne Port, Henstridge
• 25: Taunton-Dulverton, including Cotford St. Luke, Norton Fitzwarren and Wiveliscombe
• 28:Taunton-Minehead, including Bishop's Lydeard, Williton, Watchet and Dunster

And for all the other days the £2.00 bus fare cap has been extended until December 2024, so for goodness sake, just get on a bus!