'Bus it' for free: four Somerset routes you can step on today without paying
The initiative today (19 December) is in a bid to show routes which could be lost from March unless more people use them
Last updated 21st Jul 2024
Four Somerset bus routes are offering free journeys today - in a bid by the local authority and operators to show routes which could be lost from March unless more people use them.
It includes the 28 from Taunton to Minehead, via Bishop’s Lydeard, Williton, Watchet and Dunster.
Also the 54 from Yeovil to Taunton, which stops at Langport, Somerton and Ilchester, will be completely free of charge to ride - for today only.
Somerset Council have dubbed it 'Free Bus Travel Day', thanks to their work in partnership with the Somerset Bus Partnership and First Bus South, which runs Buses of Somerset.
All day, the numbers 25, 28, 54, and 58/58A will be operating for nothing - with these routes currently being subsidised by the council using ring-fenced Government Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus cash.
First Bus South, however, say they cannot continue to operate the routes without subsidy because currently not enough passengers are using them.
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
The latest round of the ‘Bus It’ campaign – supported by the Somerset Bus Partnership and Buses of Somerset, aims to support these four at risk routes and try to boost passenger numbers.
In the face of massive budget pressures, Somerset Council cannot commit to supporting the services from April. The authority recently declared a financial emergency driven by spiralling demands and costs of care.
However, First Bus South has said it will review the routes before the funding ends next year, taking into account new data on passenger uptake.
Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Transport and Digital, Councillor Mike Rigby, said: "This is an excellent initiative. We’re grateful to First Bus South for doing this, and we hope it will persuade people to try out their local bus route and have a great day out, whilst leaving the car at home for a change.
"It might not be free the rest of the year, but bus fares are just £2 for any single journey in Somerset until December 2024, that’s amazing value. We really want people to value and help protect these routes and the best way of doing that is to use them.
"The services are more reliable and if you choose to Bus It to work or the shops you will be saving hard-earned cash. It’s worth checking our Bus It page to find out more."
First Bus South Director, James Eustace, said: "We’re proud to be supporting this fantastic initiative, helping people realise the many benefits of using the buses. By offering free travel, we want to encourage people to try the bus, perhaps to go to their Christmas shopping, go to a restaurant, or to explore the local area."
Somerset Council and the Somerset Bus Partnership launched the ‘Bus It’ campaign last summer to try and encourage more people to ‘Bus It’.
You can find out more about it along with the various initiativeshere.
To plan your journey on these and all Somerset bus routes visit the council's Think Travel portal.