Rally over proposed cuts to Taunton and West Somerset bus

Dozens of campaigners turned out in Wiveliscombe on Saturday morning (February 17) to protest reductions to the number 25 route that connects the town to Taunton and Dulverton.

The route is funded until the end of March by a Somerset Council subsidy – but the proposed cuts mean the service could run every three hours instead of two as the cash-strapped unitary authority battles a financial emergency.

Three other services are under threat; the 54 (Yeovil to Taunton) and 58 (Yeovil to Wincanton) could disappear, while the 28 (Taunton to Minehead) could become less regular.

They are all run by First South West under the trading name Buses of Somerset.

No decision has been made on the future of the four services, with the council still engaged in “positive discussions” with Buses of Somerset.

Saturday's rally was organised by Somerset Bus Partnership with support from the RMT union, which represents rail, maritime and transport workers.

The Wivey Bus User Group was also present with a petition.They campaigned to protect the number 25 service. (Image: Newsquest)

Barry West, RMT regional organiser for the South West, said: “This is an absolutely vital service.

“The planned cuts here would leave this pretty isolated town absolutely cut off. The impact would be devastating.

“People who travel on the buses are quite often the elderly, the vulnerable, the disabled or children.

“Most of those people can't drive a car, can't afford to drive or aren't old enough to drive, so they would end up being cut off.”

He said there could be an impact on driver jobs if the cuts go ahead.

“Those jobs are absolutely vital,” he said.

“But it's not just bus workers' jobs that would be affected; people travel here to come to work. Many jobs could be affected.

“The government should be reviewing the current model and making sure there's money ringfenced and put in local authorities for them to manage locally. 

“The current model simply does not work for anybody but the big operators.”

A similar Save our Buses protest took place in Yeovil a week earlier. (Image: Newsquest)

Dave Mansell, a Somerset councillor for Upper Tone and campaigner with the Wivey Bus User Group, was among the protesters.

“It was great to see such a large turnout of people from Wivey and from other areas with bus services under threat at the rally,” he said.

“We sent a strong message that our services are important and need to be supported.

“First Bus’s announcement to reduce the 25 to three-hourly services was very disappointing.

“However, no decisions have been taken yet and there is still hope while negotiations between Somerset Council and First Bus continue.

“Given the financial crisis at the council, solutions will not be easy. However, bus use has been continuing to increase since the Covid pandemic.

“We need to keep building on this positive trend.

“It is also essential that Somerset receives fair funding from government so important public services can be protected.”

Somerset Bus Partnership held a similar rally in Yeovil last week, claiming the county has some of the ‘worst-rated bus services in the country’.

Somerset Council is working hard to find a way forward with Buses of Somerset. (Image: Newsquest)

Peter Travis, co-chair of Somerset Bus Partnership, said: “The 25 bus is a vital link for the market towns and rural villages of much of West Somerset.

“This bus service enables access to job and educational opportunities in Taunton as well as to health services, shopping, entertainment and bus, coach and train connections.

“It was good to see quite so many people from Wiveliscombe and nearby coming together to demand their bus services are saved from any further cuts.”

Somerset Council and First South have released a joint statement.

It says: “Somerset Council and Buses of Somerset continue to have positive discussions over the future of the four routes.

“We’re exploring all opportunities and are now looking at detailed proposals.

“We understand the concerns of the community and we’re working hard to find a way forward. We hope to be able to provide an update as soon as possible.”