COMMUNITY transport groups and the elderly residents who use them were celebrating this week after a passionate campaign saw the council back down on plans to halve their subsidy.

The council was proposing to drop its subsidy for concessionary fares from 50 per cent down to 25 per cent, which would have meant operators would have been forced to put up their prices to cover costs.

Community transport charities such as Atwest in West Somerset were concerned that the increase would price vulnerable elderly rural residents out of going to medical appointments and doing their shopping.

Brian Worrall, of Atwest, said: “We are absolutely delighted at the news. We have to thank the council for seeing sense on this issue, and maybe it’s a sign that big society does work after all.

“We have had drivers hand out forms to passengers, we have taken in consultations to care homes and other local car schemes have the done the same.”

Pauline Homeshaw, at Wivey Link, added: “It’s a victory for people power and we’re delighted that we will be able to offer our services without disadvantaging our customers and having to think about cost-cutting.”

Cllr David Fothergill, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “This was always a very difficult decision to consider but when our funding has been so sharply cut, difficult decisions are the only ones left to take.

“We’ve listened to residents’ feedback to these proposals and we have heard loud and clear just how important this subsidy is, particularly in rural areas. We are therefore going to meet the £80,000 saving from reserves.”

At their cabinet meeting on Monday, February 8, the council will vote on changes for bus pass holders travelling for free between 9am and 9.30am on public and community transport services, and charging for companion travel.


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Meanwhile a number of bus routes could be protected following the feedback of 1,300 residents from a separate consultation.

Following the consultation the county council is now proposing not to withdraw funding from the following 29 Street to Taunton service, the 51 Stoke St Gregory to Taunton Saturday service and the 38 Huish Episcopi extension. 

This does mean funding could be withdrawn for the Bridgwater Town Service, the 20 service from Seaton to Taunton, the 22 from between Tiverton/Cullompton and Taunton, the 25 Dulverton to Taunton service, the 198 Dulverton-Minehead service and the 113 between Highbridge and Berrow.

The Bridgwater Town Service will operate commercially while others will see reductions in services. 

If the proposed changes are agreed, the council would still be spending £1.5 million on bus subsidies in the next financial year.