Buses being used to provide community transport in Somerset are “sat empty at weekends” in a depot, a transport campaigner has claimed.

Somerset Council launched its Digital Slinky service in  late-May, with a fleet of minibuses being able to be hired out on demand via an app to provide responsive public transport in rural areas.

The service is currently running on a trial basis in Somerton, Langport and the neighbouring villages, with the vehicles intending to be available to book between 7am and 7pm daily.

But Emery Taylor, a member of the Somerset Bus Partnership, has claimed that the buses are not being used at all at weekends, and has called on the council to provide additional services on these days.

The council said that it was willing to provide additional bus services if external funding could be secured, whether from town and parish councils or via private companies.

Mr Taylor raised the issue in a statement read out on his behalf when the full council convened in Bridgwater on Wednesday afternoon (July 17).

He said: “The buses used on the Somerton Slinky are, to my understanding, sat empty on weekends in the council’s Somerton bus depot.

“If funding was provided from an external source, such as town councils or private enterprise, could a weekend service that included Castle Cary railway station and Street (maybe Glastonbury) be run?”

Rosa Kell from the Wells Bus Users Group (who read out Mr Taylor’s statement) added: “We wonder if this could be used for Saturday and Sunday hire, especially where there are no services on Sundays.

“This is very much a rural community who would like to go out on a Sunday.”

The funding for the Digital Slinky trial – which runs until March 2026 – is being provided by the Department for Transport (DfT) as part of the council’s bus service improvement plan (BSIP).

This plan also includes a commitment to deliver a rural mobility hub in Somerton, at a cost of £510,000, which will allow for more coordinated bus services in the surrounding towns and villages.

Councillor Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder for transport and digital, said he was happy to explore options for funding additional bus services in rural areas.

Mr Wilkins – whose Curry Rivel and Langport division borders Somerton – said: “The Slinky bus service provides an incredible service, and it’s a really exciting prospect.

“It’s well-known we don‘t have funding for additional bus services; however, where external funding is available, we would be very happy to discuss and consider the provision of additional services.”

To use the Digital Slinky service, either download the Slinky app or visit www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-travel-and-parking/slinky-digital-somerton.