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.

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Its been confirmed today, that the journeys operating on a Sunday and Public Holiday will now be withdrawn meaning that Service 178 will only operate Monday to Saturday.
The 23:20 journey that also was going to operate with financial support from Bath and North East Somerset, has been withdrawn.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.

This means that the information booklet printed by the bus company is INCORRECT!!!

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

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
...

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

Pick up your guide Now which will explain all of the forthcoming changes to bus services in and around Bath from 4/ 9/16. I picked my copy up on the 267 bus so other  First buses may also be carrying them or you can find copies at the bus stations

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

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.

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