Bus service from Taunton to Minehead to be scrapped
It's due to low passenger numbers.
A direct bus link between Taunton and the West Somerset Railway (WSR) is being scrapped after 20 years due to low passengers numbers.
The 28 bus, which runs from Taunton to Minehead, currently stops within the Broadgauge business park in Bishop’s Lydeard, providing a direct transfer to the heritage railway service from mainline trains.
First Group PLC, which runs the service, has confirmed that these stops will be “temporarily withdrawn” from August 31 due to low passenger numbers – much to the chagrin of local transport campaigners.
The 28 and 28A will continue to serve Bishop’s Lydeard by stopping outside the Lethbridge Arms, with Somerset Council and First Group both assuring residents that this change will improve the service’s reliability.
David Redgewell from the South West Transport Network raised the issue when the full council convened in Bridgwater on Wednesday afternoon (July 16).
He said: “The bus/ rail service is due to end after 20 years between Taunton town centre, Taunton railway station and Bishop’s Lydeard railway station on August 31.
“At the Somerset bus advisory board, First Group PLC said they wanted to close the railway station interchange stop and only stop at The Lethbridge Arms pub.
“That represents a ten- to fifteen-minute journey for those with reduced mobility, partially-sighted passengers and wheelchairs users, via and across the A358.”
Councillor Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder for transport and waste services, said that the chance were “not a cost-cutting measure” and had been made with the support of both the council and the Somerset Bus Partnership.
Mr Wilkins (who represents the Curry Rivel and Langport division) said: “Since April 1, First has picked a total of 333 passengers on the 28/ 28A route from the three bus stops in the Broadgauge business park close to the West Somerset Railway service, which carries around 7,000 passengers a week.
“There will still be a bus stop close by the Lethbridge Arms in Bishop’s Lydeard, which will require customers to walk to the railway – but this route is short and safe, using the underpass under the A358.
“This change is not a cost-cutting measure, as First is looking to redistribute the time taken to serve these stops, providing greater reliability for passengers.
“First consulted with the Somerset Bus Partnership prior to the board meeting, and our understanding is that the partnership was accepting of this change as it would benefit passengers along the entire route.
“The journey which currently diverts to the business park receives no direct funding from the council, and as such First has taken a commercial decision to withdraw these stops due to low use.
“First has confirmed that it intends to introduce this change on August 31, but it has assured us that it will reviewed this again before the introduction of the summer timetable in 2026.”
In a statement published on Monday (July 21), First confirmed that the WSR stop would be “temporarily withdrawn during the winter timetable to streamline the service and help improve reliability”.
Evening services (using the 28A timetable) have also been “re-timed to connect with the Great Western Railway (GWR) mainline trains from London at Taunton railway station”.
James Eustace, commercial director for First Bus in Somerset, said: “We’re committed to delivering a bus network that people can depend on in Somerset.
“These changes are about making sure our services run more reliably and reflect the needs of our passengers.”