CHANGES to bus timetables and other network changes will come into force next month.

Buses of Somerset announced changes for its services in Somerset as part of a twice-yearly network review, which comes into force on Sunday, April 14.

Timetable changes have been designed to improve punctuality on the network, helping passengers' journeys and keeping Somerset moving.

Working closely with Somerset Council and local user groups, the changes take into account amends to the 25 and 28.

These include retiming evening services on the 28 to align with trains serving Taunton station, as well as the X28, a new express service from Taunton to Butlins in the summer.

In addition, a brand new service 22B will serve the Wellesley Park area of Wellington.

Buses of Somerset changes include:

• Service 25 from Dulverton – Wiveliscombe – Taunton will continue to serve all points of the route, with some timetable amends.
Some daytime journeys will divert on the Service 28 through Cotford St Luke and North Fitzwarren at certain times of the day, which will be renumbered 28a providing some additional journeys between Taunton and Cotford St Luke.

• Service 28 will be revised, including a new direct service between Taunton and Minehead. The 28 will operate every 45 minutes instead of every 30 minutes on Mondays to Friday. On Saturdays the 30 minute service will remain.

• Following feedback from stakeholders, evening services on the 28 will be retimed to align with trains serving Taunton station.

• During the Summer, an express service to Butlins will be introduced. Numbered X28, it will run direct from Taunton to Butlins.

• The Exmoor Coaster will restart from 31st March, running all season until September 28. Different service levels will operate during the Summer months based on Low, Mid and Peak season.

• A new service (22B) will operate every two hours serving the Wellesley Park area of Wellington. It will operate as the 22 between Taunton and Wellington, Rockwell Green then will continue back along the Oldway Road to Swaines Lane/Barnmeads Road.

Full timetable details will be available on the Buses of Somerset website in the coming weeks, and passenger are advised to check details before travelling ahead of the new services coming into effect.

James Eustace, commercial director for Buses of Somerset, said: “We’re continuing to invest in improving bus services in Somerset.

“The wider network changes have been carefully designed using the latest network planning software, local feedback, and input from our drivers to bring improved timetables and focus on areas of demand.

“We’re delighted that we’ve been able to agree a solution for the 25, 28, 54, and 58, which will all continue to run.

“Where there are any reductions in service, we’ve worked hard to ensure we are serving our communities, with alternative routes still running to cover these areas.”

Full list of changes

• 22/22a/X22 and New 22B Taunton - Wellington – Tiverton: New timetable with new service for Jurston Field

• 25 Taunton – Dulverton: New timetable • 28 and New 28A/X28 Taunton – Minehead New: Timetable introduction of fast X28. Journeys that operate via Cotford St Luke will be numbered 28A.

• 29 Taunton – Glastonbury: Change of number

• 51 Yeovil Town Service: New Timetable

• 54 Yeovil – Taunton: No Changes

• 58 Yeovil – Wincanton: No Changes

• EXMO Exmoor Coaster: Service Reintroduced as of Sunday, March 31, 2024.

Buses of Somerset network changes on April 14 follow First West of England changes which come into effect in Somerset on April 7.