A BUS user group said passengers are concerned about the “harmful effects” of timetable changes for the Taunton to Dulverton service.

The Wiveliscombe Bus User Group, which is part of Somerset Bus Partnership, has recently sought feedback on the new timetable for the 25 Taunton to Dulverton service which started in April this year.

This change followed a long campaign to protect the 25 service from closure or further cuts.

It appeared in February 2024 that the campaign had been successful with Somerset Council and First Bus announcing the service would continue at least for the next year although with some amendments to the timetable by First Bus.

A spokesman from Wivey Bus User Group said: “When the new timetable was published however it was clear that there had been some cuts at busy and popular times of the day to the number of daily buses serving outlying towns such as Milverton, Wiveliscombe, and Dulverton and we feared that the amendments to the timetable buses would cause problems.”

The group said a small survey was carried out via their street stall, as well as online, in May and early June to see what this impact has been.

The group then added that a large majority stated the new timetable was less suitable.

In particular, passengers reported that the withdrawal of the mid-afternoon bus from Taunton leaving a nearly three-hour gap before the final bus of the day at 5.45pm has been a major problem, particularly for students.

Another issue was the loss of the very well-used 9.30 bus from Wiveliscombe to town in the morning which leaves a three-hour gap between the first bus at 7.40am and the next one at 10.40am.

The feedback shows that it has become more difficult for bus passengers in general to get into town in the mornings, and the timetable changes appear to have impacted most severely on students.

Reduced frequency and less suitable departure and return times were mentioned by many but with fewer buses, respondents also commented that the remaining buses have become more crowded and uncomfortable, and that unreliability and late running services remain a problem and one which is made worse by the reduced frequency.

A spokesperson for the Wivey Bus User Group said: “The 25 service has become even more unsatisfactory for everyone but the impact on students has been particularly stressful, and sometimes, devastating.

“But we are also concerned that if bus use does decline, First Bus will use this to propose and justify further cuts.

“For this reason, we would like First Bus and Somerset Council to review the current timetable as soon as possible as it clearly does not work for residents of our outlying towns who need decent public transport.”

A spokesperson for Somerset Council said: “We understand people’s concerns about the frequency of buses on this route, but the reality is that the service has not been commercially viable for many years and has relied on a significant amount of subsidy from the council.

“We do what we can with the money we have and are continuing to subsidise the 25 for the coming year.

“Students are a key priority and we have sought to maintain the most vital journeys which transport students into college at the beginning and the end of the day.

“We are in regular contact with FE colleges and we are not aware of any concerns about the service.

“Together with the operator, further improvements were agreed on the timetable introduced in April 2024 and implemented on June 3 which provided some additional journeys through Cotford St.

“Luke and Norton Fitzwarren on service 28A to ease capacity issues in this area and at the moment the best possible service is being provided in terms of the patronage and commercial viability.

“We will continue to campaign to get more people on buses and if we can see a continued increase in patronage, we will work with the operator and bus user groups to see if further improvements can be made.”

A Buses of Somerset spokesperson: “There have been learnings from recent changes with the route, which is why we are working in close partnership with the Somerset Bus Partnership and Somerset Council to make changes that best serve the community.

“We are currently in discussion on how we can improve the 25 service for local people."