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Working closely with local bus operators, the upcoming changes include the introduction of new bus services on 2 January, the 126, and the 9, as well as existing service timetable updates on 7 January.
These changes follow an evaluation of significant bus service updates made in September as part of North Somerset Council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), funded by the Department for Transport.
New bus network maps and detailed timetables for individual bus services are available to view online at travelwest.info. You can choose ‘current timetable’ or ‘upcoming timetable’ to view any future changes that will be made to the network.
In summary, service changes are:
126 – From 2 January, the new 126 service will run Monday to Saturday, approximately every two hours. The service connects Weston-super-Mare to Wells via Uphill, Weston Hospital, Bleadon, Hutton, Elbourgh, Sandford, Winscombe, Axbridge and Cheddar – once again giving people in those areas a regular bus service, six days a week.
9 – From 2 January, the new number 9 service will run Monday to Friday, three times a day between West Wick and the bus interchange at Alexandra Parade. The route will include Worle retail park, Worle Lidl, Queensway, Lower Kewstoke Road, Church Road, Worlebury, Ashbury Drive, Baytree Road, Aisecome Way retail park, Winterstoke Road retail parks and the town centre.
7 – From 7 January, the Sunday service will be doubled to every 30 minutes and timetable slightly updated. No change to the bus route.
X1, X4, X6, X7, X9 – From 7 January, the timetables will be slightly updated with no changes to the bus routes.
Cllr Hannah Young, Executive Member for Highways and Transport at North Somerset Council, said: “Listening to residents and implementing changes based on feedback is a crucial part of improving our bus services. Given the strong public call for the reintroduction of the 126 service, we are hopeful that it will be a popular, and therefore commercially viable route.
“The council is committed to working with bus service operators so that our local communities can be better connected by sustainable transport options that make North Somerset a better place to work, study and live. These routes have been designed to connect residents to key services including schools and colleges, hospitals, and shops. It is challenging to find funds to support routes that are not well-used enough to be commercially viable but are nevertheless very important to our communities. We will continue to make further incremental improvements to the network and hope you will make the most of the £2 bus fare cap in the new year and try a new way to travel.”
Residents of North Somerset are also invited to share their views on bus services in a consultation running until 31 January.
The consultation results will help inform other necessary service changes that then take place annually in April and September. Take part in the consultation at: North Somerset bus service consultation - North Somerset Council Consultations (inconsult.uk)
Working in partnership, North Somerset Council and the West of England Combined Authority want to encourage everyone to ‘walk or wheel’ where possible, helping to reach a carbon neutral goal by 2030. When that’s not possible, bus travel is encouraged to be the first choice over car usage, helping to ease traffic congestion and creating a greener way to travel.
More information on the Bus Improvement Service Plan can be found on the council website: Bus service improvement plan | North Somerset Council (n-somerset.gov.uk)
