'Unreliable' new Taunton park and ride being monitored

Passengers have experienced delays on Taunton's Park and Ride under new operator Stagecoach

Bus passengers say a park and ride service, recently taken over by a new operator, is now "inconsistent".

Taunton's park and ride route was taken over by Stagecoach on 12 February.

Passengers have complained they now face long waits for buses and drivers did not know which bus stops were on the route.

Somerset Council, who commissioned the service, said it was "working closely" with Stagecoach and would continue "monitoring performance".

Stagecoach declined to comment on the delays and referred all media enquires to Somerset Council.

The park and ride is used by thousands of commuters each week to get into the county town from two terminals to the east and west of Taunton.

Service 'completely destroyed'

Aiden Reynolds has used the service in the past to get to Musgrove Park Hospital.

"I wouldn't risk using the new service for hospital appointments as I don't want to risk missing an appointment that I've waited months for," he said.

Writing on a local Facebook community group (Taunton Matters), Jules Smith said her son had waited 45 minutes for a bus and was late for work.

"What a shame the park and ride service that was so good and such an asset is now being completely destroyed," she said.

"It's just not a reliable service any more so people will stop using it," wrote Ms Smith.

Peter Knight, Managing Director at Stagecoach South West had previously said passengers would be provided with "reliable, affordable and sustainable travel across the Taunton Park and Ride service".

'Monitoring performance'

Another passenger said drivers did not seem to know which bus stops were on the route.

They claimed one driver went past a group of waiting passengers, while another stopped at every bus stop including those not previously served by the park and ride.

The service is meant to provide buses every 20 minutes.

Samantha Elizabeth wrote on Facebook: "A bunch of us waited over 35 mins last Friday for a park and ride bus back to Silk Mills from town.

"I usually drive in but decided to give park and ride a go. Will go back to driving."

A Somerset Council spokesperson said: "We have been working closely with the new operator since the service started on 12 February and we are monitoring performance.

"We need to give the new service time to settle down but, if necessary, we will work with the operator to make adjustments."