Campaigners back bus service improvement plans

Linda Snelling campaigns for better public transport in Yeovil

Campaigners have welcomed the news that new government funding means bus services in Somerset are to improve.

Somerset Council is considering how to spend just over £6m of further funding for the next financial year.

A new package of proposals for Yeovil and Bridgwater is being looked into, including evening bus services and feasibility studies for transport hubs in both towns.

Linda Snelling, from Yeovil's bus user group said: "I'm encouraged, I certainly have been advocating that this time Yeovil actually gets something."

A final decision will be taken in the spring.

Somerset Council is also considering maintaining the £1 park-and-ride fare in Taunton and supporting the development of the town's transport hub.

Lead member for transport and waste services, councillor Richard Wilkins said: "We want to look at an exciting range of proposals across more towns."

Somerset Bus Partnership is a voluntary group which works with the council to support the county's bus network.

Peter Travis, from the partnership said: "What we've said to Somerset Council is - carry on with the current schemes which are seeing benefits and let's see some evening bus services introduced into Yeovil and Bridgwater because those towns need it."

The council has also said there are no plans to extend the £1.50 single fare for Taunton routes beyond March.

From January, the price cap for a single journey in England rose to £3.

Mr Travis said: "Taunton's fares were being subsidised by a government grant and from March they will go up."

"It's about prioritising where to spend money. Would you rather have evening bus services coming to Bridgwater and Yeovil or would you rather have subsidised fares in Taunton?", he added.

A report with more measures and costings will be presented to councillors in March.