First Bus South says it is fully committed to operations in Somerset despite confirming its Bridgwater depot will close on 3 September.
News of the plans in recent weeks had already led to protests, with locals worried about cuts to services.
However, today the operator has said the “vast majority” of services will be retained and that some routes will have peak-time improvements and reliability. All services previously run from Bridgwater will operate from other depots across Somerset, with the business saying the move was necessary to reduce costs and protect wider service level in the county.
First Bus South has announced 22 changes to routes in Somerset effective from this Sunday. Among the alterations, some journeys will be withdrawn on services 1, 1E, 6,7, 75 and B1. Others are reducing in frequency, while there will be extra services on 22, 22a and X22 between Taunton-Wellington-Tiverton. Others are described by the operator as “minor” or are to improve punctuality.
Simon Goff, Managing Director for First Bus South, says: “Following further consultations and discussion with local stakeholders and customers alike, we are making some operational changes to our business. We have taken the difficult decision to close our Bridgwater depot with immediate effect from this weekend.
“This is not a decision we have taken lightly, but one that is a necessity in order to protect the future of Buses of Somerset and its bus network for the local area. I am aware that there has been some local resistance to the depot closure, but it is important that our decision is taken in the wider context of striving to secure the long-term future of services across Somerset.
“We are operating in extremely challenging circumstances, with rising costs and, while passenger numbers are increasing on some routes due to current fare promotion schemes, they are still below pre-Covid levels, which is affecting the viability of routes.
“We are committed to serving our communities in Somerset and continue to work closely through the enhanced partnership with Somerset Council to deliver the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) to provide the best possible bus services for our customers in the county. We will continue to work closely with the Council who have been a great help in supporting us to give the bus network the best possible chance to recover.”
