Woman says she may need to quit job if bus route goes

Margaret Gamble said the 54 service via Langport was busy every day

A passenger says she could be forced to give up her job if her bus route to work is withdrawn.

First Bus South has put forward proposals to reduce the number of journeys on buses between Minehead, Dulverton and Taunton, and end services from Yeovil to Taunton and Wincanton from April.

Margaret Gamble, from Langport, said the 54 bus was "a lifeline" and she would not be able to afford to drive to Taunton.

First Bus said passenger growth had not been strong enough to end the need for financial support, which Somerset Council said it would not be able to continue to afford.

Four bus routes in Somerset could be reduced or scrapped in the proposals

First Bus is currently reviewing its network, which it does twice a year, and told Somerset Council what could happen if funding is stopped.

Campaigners say any withdrawal or reduction in routes will impact working-class communities and affect local businesses.

Campaigner Peter Travis said the potential changes were "more than disappointing... it's a bombshell".

He added: "The loss of these bus services is going to have a very serious impact for people who have no option than to go by bus".

Carol Church, from Huish Episcopi, said scrapping the 54 service would leave people unable to access medical care.

She added: "If it isn't running there's no facilities at all. You can't get to the surgery, you can't get to the hospitals."

Carol Church uses the 54 service to travel between Langport and Huish Episcopi

Somerset Council said it would not have enough funding from the government to subsidise the routes beyond March.

Lead member for transport Richard Wilkins said, "This is incredibly disappointing, especially after the efforts the council and communities have made to encourage bus use on these routes.

"However, we look forward to further meetings with the operator as soon as possible to try and find a way forward".

A First Bus spokesperson said: "Reducing or withdrawing routes is the last thing we want to do, but without ongoing support, this could be an outcome."