Bridgwater Town Council has agreed to explore plans to establish a municipal bus operator, in what is understood to be the first and so far only formal expression of interest in forming a new publicly owned bus company since the removal of a long-standing legislative ban.
The proposal was supported at a full council meeting on 7 May, with the town council saying it will investigate whether the historic market town could host a Department for Transport (DfT) pilot for a new municipal bus model. At time of writing minutes from the 7 May meeting are not yet available, although an agenda published on 30 April references item TC2026/6 “to adopt the Franchise for the proposals outlined in the Bridgwater Municipal Bus Operator document” and to note correspondence from both DfT and Transport Minister Simon Lightwood MP.
Bridgwater Town Council says DfT is actively seeking a location in order to explore a pilot, and that it is the only town council in England to have formally expressed an interest. It has invited Mr Lightwood to hear how the town could deliver that approach.
In an update on its website the council says the proposal has been brought forward amid challenges to local bus provision following the closure of First Bus’s Bridgwater depot. It argues that services have become more costly to operate because vehicles now travel into the town from depots elsewhere.
Under the outline proposal a locally based municipal operator would operate from an expanded depot at Saltlands and make use of Somerset Council’s in-house fleet and expertise. The council says the model could support better links between the town centre, railway station, housing developments, employment areas, and surrounding villages, while improving frequency and evening and Sunday provision.
Bridgwater Town Council says it will continue discussions with Somerset Council, the government and other partners to assess the feasibility of the proposal and position the town as a candidate for the national pilot.
Says Councillor Mick Lerry: “This is a really exciting opportunity for Bridgwater to take a lead in shaping the future of local transport. We have seen the impact of reduced local provision since the closure of the Bridgwater depot, and there is a clear need for a more reliable, locally focused service.
“A municipal operator could give us greater control over routes, ticketing, and timetabling of bus services, improve connections for our residents and surrounding villages, and support access to jobs, education and healthcare. This is about creating a transport system that works for our communities now and in the future and we look forward to working with Somerset Council and government to develop this proposal further.”
Adds Councillor Tim Mander: “Public transport is a lifeline for many in our community and it’s vital that it meets the needs of residents both in Bridgwater and the surrounding villages. Exploring a municipal bus operator gives us the opportunity to design services around the people who rely on them, rather than being constrained by commercial priorities.
“This proposal is about creating a more connected town, improving access to employment, education and services, and supporting our wider ambitions for sustainable growth. I’m pleased that the council is taking proactive steps to look at innovative solutions that could deliver long-term benefits for our residents.”
The move comes following the Better Buses (No.2) Bill, which lifted the ban on local authorities establishing their own bus companies. That restriction had been introduced under the Transport Act 1985, which deregulated bus services outside London and prevented councils from setting up new municipal operators.
DfT and Somerset Council have been approached for more information.
