Frome and Villagers Bus User Group called an emergency meeting on Tuesday 23 August this week to discuss this crisis facing Frome bus users.
It was attended by 15 Councillors including Somerset County and Mendip District Councillor, Linda Oliver, Mendip District Councillors, Damon Hooton and Adam Boyden, BaNES Councillor Neil Butters along with Frome Town Councillors and parish Councillors from Rode, Norton and Hinton Charterhouse (all these are villages are on the 267 route) and the FAVBUG Committee (including Tracey Harding, Lucy Travis and Peter Travis).
Thank you to The George Hotel in Frome Market Place for the meeting room.
Friday, 26 August 2016
Swathing bus cuts across Somerset
Last minute timetable changes to the 178 Radstock to Bristol service show that B&NES are making swathing cuts to evening and weekend buses. Are any buses that they fund safe
Late changes confirmed to the 178 RADSTOCK - BRISTOL service from the 4th September.
Its been confirmed today, that the journeys operating on a Sunday and Public Holiday will now be withdrawn meaning that Service 178 will only operate Monday to Saturday.
The 23:20 journey that also was going to operate with financial support from Bath and North East Somerset, has been withdrawn.
Journeys on a Sunday, can only operate under financial support from the local authority, wh...o have pulled out at the last minute.
Its been confirmed today, that the journeys operating on a Sunday and Public Holiday will now be withdrawn meaning that Service 178 will only operate Monday to Saturday.
The 23:20 journey that also was going to operate with financial support from Bath and North East Somerset, has been withdrawn.
Journeys on a Sunday, can only operate under financial support from the local authority, wh...o have pulled out at the last minute.
This means that the information booklet printed by the bus company is INCORRECT!!!
Thursday, 25 August 2016
Lights out for nights out
Another bitter blow for Frome and the surrounding villages after B&NES announced their proposal to cut the funding to the 267 evening service. B&NES are proposing to cut the funding to all 5 of the 267 buses which they fund. If the proposed cuts go ahead bus users will no longer be able to catch a bus after 8pm and will result in the loss of Frome's only evening bus. To read about the consultation and to air your views use the link provided http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/…/your-council-and-…/consultations
Monday, 22 August 2016
THREAT TO 267 FROME TO BATH EVENING SERVICE
Now A Threat To Our Evening 267 Bath Bus
“The Council is considering changes to supported bus services to be implemented from May 2017.”
In that short sentence Bath and North East Somerset Council (BaNES) has raised the spectre of their axe falling on the evening services from 8pm from Bath to Frome for the 267 bus services This would mean a loss of 5 buses on the route
...
“The Council is considering changes to supported bus services to be implemented from May 2017.”
In that short sentence Bath and North East Somerset Council (BaNES) has raised the spectre of their axe falling on the evening services from 8pm from Bath to Frome for the 267 bus services This would mean a loss of 5 buses on the route
...
In the current era of austerity, County Councils are having to make big cuts to their budgets. Bus subsidies is one area that is being very hard hit. Hefty cuts have already been made to Somerset’s already modest bus subsidy budget, Wiltshire is in the process of making cuts too and now BaNES is embarking on a review of bus subsidies to see where cuts can be made from May 2017.
For many years BaNES has subsidised the 267 Bath to Frome evening services. Somerset stopped subsidising the 267 route in 2011. Bus services that straddle two or more counties are always more prone to bus cuts. Also a new West of England Mayor who would have great transport powers (and thus money) is likely to be established in 2017 which would cover the areas of: Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire. Most of the 267 route would fall outside the West of England area.
To read about the consultation click on this link : http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/…/your-council-and-…/consultations
Why does BaNES subsidise a route that mainly serves people who live in Somerset and not in BaNES?
Because the 267 brings a lot of business to Bath’s nighttime economy, hence the 267 is good for Bath businesses!
We have a meeting on Tuesday night and will post a further update after that about planned action and what you can do.
If you are from the press we will make contact with you the end of this week so please don't jump the gun and feature this news yet.
Lucy Travis and Tracey Harding
Frome and Villagers Bus User Group
For many years BaNES has subsidised the 267 Bath to Frome evening services. Somerset stopped subsidising the 267 route in 2011. Bus services that straddle two or more counties are always more prone to bus cuts. Also a new West of England Mayor who would have great transport powers (and thus money) is likely to be established in 2017 which would cover the areas of: Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire. Most of the 267 route would fall outside the West of England area.
To read about the consultation click on this link : http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/…/your-council-and-…/consultations
Why does BaNES subsidise a route that mainly serves people who live in Somerset and not in BaNES?
Because the 267 brings a lot of business to Bath’s nighttime economy, hence the 267 is good for Bath businesses!
We have a meeting on Tuesday night and will post a further update after that about planned action and what you can do.
If you are from the press we will make contact with you the end of this week so please don't jump the gun and feature this news yet.
Lucy Travis and Tracey Harding
Frome and Villagers Bus User Group
Wednesday, 17 August 2016
Monday, 15 August 2016
x67 and x34 new bus timetables for the 4th September 2016
Timetables are available to view now at www.faresaver.co.uk
Printed versions will be available on bus and at various outlets including Tourist Information and Town Councils later this month
Printed versions will be available on bus and at various outlets including Tourist Information and Town Councils later this month
Changes to Somerbus services from the 4th September 2016
From Sunday 4th September 2016. The Following routes will no longer be operated by SOMERBUS •Route 82/82A - Will cease to operate under SOMERBUS; However Frome Minibuses will operate the Mon-Fri timetable. However the Saturday timetable will be withdrawn
•Route 175 - Will be wthdrawn by current operator. First West of England will run a replacement route 171; However the 06:25 & 06:45 from Midsomer Norton to Bath will not operate und...er the new route by First West of England. Nor will the 06:58 from Clutton and the 17:25 to Clutton from Bath.
•Route 175 - Will be wthdrawn by current operator. First West of England will run a replacement route 171; However the 06:25 & 06:45 from Midsomer Norton to Bath will not operate und...er the new route by First West of England. Nor will the 06:58 from Clutton and the 17:25 to Clutton from Bath.
Wessex Bus will no longer operate the 620 between Bath and Yate Shopping Centre. Stagecoach West will operate a new service. Including a new morning journey into Bath.
New Routes •42 Between Odd Down Park and Ride and Royal United Hospital
•17 Between University of Bath - Whiteway - Twerton - Bus Station - University of Bath.
University of Bath routes U10, U18, X18 Have yet to be confirmed
New Routes •42 Between Odd Down Park and Ride and Royal United Hospital
•17 Between University of Bath - Whiteway - Twerton - Bus Station - University of Bath.
University of Bath routes U10, U18, X18 Have yet to be confirmed
Links to changes happening with First West of England buses from the 4th september 2016
Bus services across the West of England are changing on the 4 September (WS). To view the new timetables visit www.firstgroup.com/newtimetables
For information on what's changing in Bristol visit:
https://www.firstgroup.com/…/significant-bus-service-change…
...
For information on what's changing in Bristol visit:
https://www.firstgroup.com/…/significant-bus-service-change…
...
For information on what's changing in Bath visit:
https://www.firstgroup.com/…/bath-city-bus-network-redesign…
For information on what's changing in Shepton Mallet, Glastonbury, and Wells visit:
https://www.firstgroup.com/…/buses-running-throughout-mendi…
For information on what's changing in North Somerset visit:
https://www.firstgroup.com/…/bus-services-north-somerset-be
https://www.firstgroup.com/…/bath-city-bus-network-redesign…
For information on what's changing in Shepton Mallet, Glastonbury, and Wells visit:
https://www.firstgroup.com/…/buses-running-throughout-mendi…
For information on what's changing in North Somerset visit:
https://www.firstgroup.com/…/bus-services-north-somerset-be
Tuesday, 2 August 2016
Changes to bus services from the 4th September 2016
Service 161 (Wells – Shepton Mallet): This service is being renumbered as Service 175 (see details below).
Service 171 (Bath – Peasedown St John): This will be a new route for First. It effectively replaces the journeys that have previously been operated by Somerbus on Service 175. The latter is being withdrawn as the owner of Somerbus retires. Buses on Service 171 will run hourly Monday to Friday providing 13 journeys in each direction between Bath Bus Station and Peasedown St John. The route is similar to that previously operated by Somerbus.
Working in combination with Services 172, 173 and 174 (see below), Service 171 will provide up to five buses an hour (Monday – Friday daytime) on common sections of route into Bath.
Service 172 (Bath – Paulton / Wells): This new service will provide journeys between Bath, Paulton and Wells. Working alongside Services 171, 173 and 174 it will help to provide up to five buses an hour between Bath and Peasedown St John, and up to four buses an hour between Bath and Midsomer Norton via Radstock, and will therefore help to mitigate the shortening of Service 178 and the withdrawal of Service 379.
Buses will run every half an hour Monday to Saturday daytime and every hour during the evenings and on Sundays and Public Holidays. Some early morning journeys and some evening journeys will also be extended to start or finish in Wells, operating via Chewton Mendip and Farrington Gurney.
Service 173 (Bath – Wells): Following the introduction of Service 172 and taking account of changes to Service 174, the timetable of Service 173 is being altered. From September there will be no Sunday or Public Holiday journeys on this route, however they will be provided by Service 174, which also runs between Bath and Wells via Shepton Mallet, and on Service 172 (between Bath, Paulton and Wells). As a result of these changes Binegar and Chilcompton will lose access to bus services on Sundays and Public Holidays.
Service 174 (Bath – Wells): The route of this service within Midsomer Norton is changing from September, increasing the number of journey opportunities between there and Bath. A new Sunday and Public Holiday timetable is also being introduced on this route. Operating hourly during the main part of the day, buses will connect Wells, Shepton Mallet, Midsomer Norton, Radstock and Bath replacing a significant part of Service 173 and giving Shepton Mallet a Sunday service for the first time in many years.
Service 175 (Wells – Shepton Mallet): This will be the new number for what was Service 161. The timetable is being adjusted to both improve punctuality and reliability and also withdraw those journeys which are poorly used. Specifically, the Sunday and Public Holiday timetable, which was introduced on a trial basis last year, will no longer operate, but much of the route will be covered by the Service 174’s Sunday and Public Holiday timetable instead.
Service 178 (Bath – Bristol): The Bath, Radstock, Midsomer Norton section of this route will be covered by the new Service 172, together with Services 173 and 174. In light of this Service 178 will now operate over most of its existing route between Radstock and Bristol via Keynsham. In Midsomer Norton buses won’t serve Old Mills Tesco and in Keynsham they’ll no longer serve the Chandag Estate. We have made these changes to address issues with the punctuality and reliability of buses which are generated by running a bus over what amounts to a two-hour journey between Bristol and Bath and to ensure that the route remains commercially viable in the longer term..
The timetables are also changing, with buses set to run every hour during the day (Monday to Saturday) between approximately 6am and 8pm. On Sundays and Public Holidays there will be four journeys in each direction. These journeys, operated with support from the local authority, will run roughly every three hours. They have been timed, as far as possible to facilitate retail and working patterns.
Service 179 (Bath – Writhlington): The timetable and route of this service are being altered.
In Odd Down buses will be diverted to serve Banwell Road and Cranmore Place in place of Service 14. While between High Littleton and Paulton the route is being revised so that Farrington Gurney is also served. The latter will also allow connections between Services 179 and the Mendip Explorer Service 376 to be made.
The timetable changes will see the Monday to Friday frequency of buses reduced during the off peak (from every 90 minutes to every 120 minutes) although peak time departures are largely unaffected and will remain broadly the same. The timetable is also being adjusted on Sundays and Public Holidays. Regular users are strongly advised to check the new timetables before travelling.
Service 379 (Bath – Bristol): Following a review of bus services in the area a decision has been made to withdraw Service 379 from 4 September. Service 379 was originally introduced to operate one morning and evening journey in and out of Bristol. It was later enhanced to run hourly Monday to Saturday daytime, and then latterly extended to run to and from Bath as well. These changes had proved popular but the number of people using the route has not grown sufficiently to enable it to become commercially viable in the long term, especially given the array of other options people have for travel between Bristol and Bath. In addition to this, the route suffers from poor punctuality and reliability given its length. Collectively these factors mean it is better to withdraw the service and concentrate on providing the other alternative services instead.
From September customers who previously used Service 379 will be able to use the following alternatives: For travel between Bristol city centre and West Town Lane, Service 2 (Cribbs Causeway – City Centre – Stockwood); for travel from West Town Lane to Whitchurch, Pensford, Clutton, Temple Cloud, and Farrington Gurney, Service 376 (Bristol – Wells via Glastonbury and Street); for travel to Paulton and or Bath (Services 179 and 376, changing in Farrington Gurney, or Service 172, which operates every 30 minutes for travel to Midsomer Norton, Radstock and Bath). People in Paulton, Midsomer Norton or Radstock wishing to travel into Bristol will be able to use Service 178 instead, or they can travel into Bath picking up connection to Bristol there (on Services X39, 37, 38 or 39).
In addition to the changes noted above, a number of other alterations (already publicised) are being made to buses that operate between Bath and Bristol from the same date (4 September). These changes affect Service 37 /37A (Bath – Bristol), Service 38 (Bath – Bristol via Keynsham) and Service X39/39 (Bath – Bristol). Changes are also being made to number of other routes operating in Bath, in Bristol and across North Somerset from the same date. They are being explained in separate press releases.
For more information about First West of England, to view press releases relating to all the other changes, or to find new timetable or map information, log onto www.firstgroup.com/westofengland.
New timetables for the affected services will be available online from 8 August, and in hard copy format by 22 August
Service 171 (Bath – Peasedown St John): This will be a new route for First. It effectively replaces the journeys that have previously been operated by Somerbus on Service 175. The latter is being withdrawn as the owner of Somerbus retires. Buses on Service 171 will run hourly Monday to Friday providing 13 journeys in each direction between Bath Bus Station and Peasedown St John. The route is similar to that previously operated by Somerbus.
Working in combination with Services 172, 173 and 174 (see below), Service 171 will provide up to five buses an hour (Monday – Friday daytime) on common sections of route into Bath.
Service 172 (Bath – Paulton / Wells): This new service will provide journeys between Bath, Paulton and Wells. Working alongside Services 171, 173 and 174 it will help to provide up to five buses an hour between Bath and Peasedown St John, and up to four buses an hour between Bath and Midsomer Norton via Radstock, and will therefore help to mitigate the shortening of Service 178 and the withdrawal of Service 379.
Buses will run every half an hour Monday to Saturday daytime and every hour during the evenings and on Sundays and Public Holidays. Some early morning journeys and some evening journeys will also be extended to start or finish in Wells, operating via Chewton Mendip and Farrington Gurney.
Service 173 (Bath – Wells): Following the introduction of Service 172 and taking account of changes to Service 174, the timetable of Service 173 is being altered. From September there will be no Sunday or Public Holiday journeys on this route, however they will be provided by Service 174, which also runs between Bath and Wells via Shepton Mallet, and on Service 172 (between Bath, Paulton and Wells). As a result of these changes Binegar and Chilcompton will lose access to bus services on Sundays and Public Holidays.
Service 174 (Bath – Wells): The route of this service within Midsomer Norton is changing from September, increasing the number of journey opportunities between there and Bath. A new Sunday and Public Holiday timetable is also being introduced on this route. Operating hourly during the main part of the day, buses will connect Wells, Shepton Mallet, Midsomer Norton, Radstock and Bath replacing a significant part of Service 173 and giving Shepton Mallet a Sunday service for the first time in many years.
Service 175 (Wells – Shepton Mallet): This will be the new number for what was Service 161. The timetable is being adjusted to both improve punctuality and reliability and also withdraw those journeys which are poorly used. Specifically, the Sunday and Public Holiday timetable, which was introduced on a trial basis last year, will no longer operate, but much of the route will be covered by the Service 174’s Sunday and Public Holiday timetable instead.
Service 178 (Bath – Bristol): The Bath, Radstock, Midsomer Norton section of this route will be covered by the new Service 172, together with Services 173 and 174. In light of this Service 178 will now operate over most of its existing route between Radstock and Bristol via Keynsham. In Midsomer Norton buses won’t serve Old Mills Tesco and in Keynsham they’ll no longer serve the Chandag Estate. We have made these changes to address issues with the punctuality and reliability of buses which are generated by running a bus over what amounts to a two-hour journey between Bristol and Bath and to ensure that the route remains commercially viable in the longer term..
The timetables are also changing, with buses set to run every hour during the day (Monday to Saturday) between approximately 6am and 8pm. On Sundays and Public Holidays there will be four journeys in each direction. These journeys, operated with support from the local authority, will run roughly every three hours. They have been timed, as far as possible to facilitate retail and working patterns.
Service 179 (Bath – Writhlington): The timetable and route of this service are being altered.
In Odd Down buses will be diverted to serve Banwell Road and Cranmore Place in place of Service 14. While between High Littleton and Paulton the route is being revised so that Farrington Gurney is also served. The latter will also allow connections between Services 179 and the Mendip Explorer Service 376 to be made.
The timetable changes will see the Monday to Friday frequency of buses reduced during the off peak (from every 90 minutes to every 120 minutes) although peak time departures are largely unaffected and will remain broadly the same. The timetable is also being adjusted on Sundays and Public Holidays. Regular users are strongly advised to check the new timetables before travelling.
Service 379 (Bath – Bristol): Following a review of bus services in the area a decision has been made to withdraw Service 379 from 4 September. Service 379 was originally introduced to operate one morning and evening journey in and out of Bristol. It was later enhanced to run hourly Monday to Saturday daytime, and then latterly extended to run to and from Bath as well. These changes had proved popular but the number of people using the route has not grown sufficiently to enable it to become commercially viable in the long term, especially given the array of other options people have for travel between Bristol and Bath. In addition to this, the route suffers from poor punctuality and reliability given its length. Collectively these factors mean it is better to withdraw the service and concentrate on providing the other alternative services instead.
From September customers who previously used Service 379 will be able to use the following alternatives: For travel between Bristol city centre and West Town Lane, Service 2 (Cribbs Causeway – City Centre – Stockwood); for travel from West Town Lane to Whitchurch, Pensford, Clutton, Temple Cloud, and Farrington Gurney, Service 376 (Bristol – Wells via Glastonbury and Street); for travel to Paulton and or Bath (Services 179 and 376, changing in Farrington Gurney, or Service 172, which operates every 30 minutes for travel to Midsomer Norton, Radstock and Bath). People in Paulton, Midsomer Norton or Radstock wishing to travel into Bristol will be able to use Service 178 instead, or they can travel into Bath picking up connection to Bristol there (on Services X39, 37, 38 or 39).
In addition to the changes noted above, a number of other alterations (already publicised) are being made to buses that operate between Bath and Bristol from the same date (4 September). These changes affect Service 37 /37A (Bath – Bristol), Service 38 (Bath – Bristol via Keynsham) and Service X39/39 (Bath – Bristol). Changes are also being made to number of other routes operating in Bath, in Bristol and across North Somerset from the same date. They are being explained in separate press releases.
For more information about First West of England, to view press releases relating to all the other changes, or to find new timetable or map information, log onto www.firstgroup.com/westofengland.
New timetables for the affected services will be available online from 8 August, and in hard copy format by 22 August
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