A SOMERSET MP is set to meet bus chiefs in a bid to improve an “unreliable” and “overcrowded” service she says is “not fit for purpose”.
Rachel Gilmour (Lib Dem, Tiverton & Minehead) is set to meet officials from First Bus on September 26 to discuss concerns from constituents over the Number 28 route, between Minehead and Taunton.
The meeting comes a week before the she is due to meet senior civil servants from the Department for Transport (DfT).
Mrs Gilmour demanded meetings with those concerned after being contacted by ‘hundreds of constituents’ of problems on the service, particularly on Mondays and Fridays.
She has also heard concerns about the Number 25 bus service, which travels from Taunton to Bampton via Norton Fitzwarren and Wiveliscombe.
The MP has also pledged to raise a wider issue of disabled persons’ travel cards – specifically the entitlement to free travel that often starts at 9.30am, meaning cardholders are unable to use their pass to commute.
“Hundreds of constituents have contacted my office to express their concerns about the quality of both the Number 28 and 25 First Bus services in the Tiverton and Minehead constituency,” she said.
The Number 28 bus service runs to the main gate at Butlin’s in Minehead. Picture: Google
“The Number 28 is simply not fit for purpose. It is often late and overcrowded, particularly on Mondays and Fridays. I know there are also major concerns about the Number 25 service.
“I look forward to meeting First Bus officials, including their operations director, to voice the concerns I hear regularly from constituents.
“The fact that I am also due to meet officials from the Department for Transport just a week later is positive news.
“Constituents both need and deserve better public transport, and I will be making it clear that services must improve.”
The issue was raised by Mrs Gilmour during a Public Accounts Committee meeting in July, when she highlighted her concerns to Conrad Bailey, director general – public transport and local group at First Bus.
Her meeting with the DfT will also allow the MP to discuss work on linking the heritage railway line at Bishops Lydeard to the mainline at Taunton, as well as other constituency transport issues, she said.
READ MORE: West Somerset news from your Leveller
BUTLINS NEED TO REINTRODUCE THEIR OWN BUSES ,TO TRANSPORT THEIR GUESTS BETWEEN MINEHEAD/TAUNTON AND TAUNTON/MINEHEAD. A SMALL CHARGE FROM THEM TO THEIR GUESTS ,WOULD COUNTER MUCH OF THE CHARGE OF INTRODUCING THEIR OWN TRANSPORT. IT WOULD ALSO CUT DOWN THE GUESTS TRAVEL TIMES ,AS JOURNEYS WOULD BE DIRECT AND NOT AROUND THE VILLAGES AND TOWNS ————-SIMPLES !!!!!!