Taunton First bus services changes to 'improve reliability'
By abbie_taunton | Wednesday, October 31, 2012, 11:22
First group bus services have announced changes to routes in Taunton that will come into effect this Sunday.
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First Group will introduce changes to services Taunton from Sunday onwards. Click on the links below for full details of all affected routes
These changes are part of widespread adjustments across Somerset, which the travel company say will "improve reliability and punctuality."
Earlier, later and additional journeys will be added to services across the area and include routes in Axminster, Bath, Bridgwater, Bristol, Dulverton, Watchet, Wells and Yeovil as well as Taunton.
One Taunton route are being withdrawn completely.
A First group spokesman said: "Some of these changes have been made in response to passenger requests while others are to improve reliability and punctuality.
"Others will significantly enhance the service that we offer to our customers."
The First bus route changes in Taunton, from 4 November 2012 onwards, are as follows...
Service 1/1A: Taunton Town Service
The last two buses leaving Wellsprings road will do so four minutes later than at present (Monday to Saturday.
This service will no longer stop at Horner Road or Lyngford road due to low passenger demand. Customers are invised instead to use the Service 3/3A stopping at Lyngford Road and Priorswood Road.
Service 2: Taunton Town Service
Service 2 is being withdrawn due to punctuality issues.
Services 3 and 3A have been altered to replace the majority of its route and customers are being advised to view these timetables for details of new travel options.
Service 3/ 3A: Taunton Town Service
Service 3A has been added alongside service 3 providing passengers with two additional buses per hour between Taunton Railway Station and Taunton Parade as well as Somerset College and Musgrove Park Hospital.
This will mean five buses an hour will be provided between Taunton Parade and Musgrove and will give Priorswood Lyngford and Taunton Railway Station a direct link with the hospital.
Combined with serivcies 1, 1A, 3 and 3A, a 7/8 minute frequency will now be offered between Taunton Parade, Taunton Railway Station and Priorswood shops.
Routes have been altered so see the links below for full information on these town centre routes.
Service 25/25A: Taunton – Langley Marsh / Cotford St. Luke / Dulverton
The 25 Service that leaves from Somerset College at 5.10pm will now depart at 5.15pm Monday to Friday during college term time only.
Similarly, the 5.20pm journey from Taunton Bus Station to Dulverton during school holiday time is being changed to depart at 5.30pm.
The 6.50pm journey from Dulverton to Taunton Bus Station will also depart ten minutes later on weekdays.
The changes to this route are addressing capacity issues on these bus services.
Service 29: Taunton – Wells
Service 29 will now travel an altered route, via Brittons Ash rather than Monkton Heathfield, to provide Brittons Ash residents with a direct link to Wells Bus Station and Taunton Railway Station.
Furthermore, to improve punctuality, this service will no longer operate directly within the grounds of West Mendip Hospital but instead use the bus stops outside the main road, near the hospital.
This service will now run every 90 minutes Monday to Saturday.
Service 30: Taunton – Axminster
Service 30 buses in Ilminster travelling from Taunton to Axminster will no longer stop at Canal Way and Orchard Vale but will now operate via Station Road, West Street, High Street, North Street and Ditton Street.
Buses travelling in the opposite direction (Axminster – Taunton) will remain as they are.
Service 54: Taunton – Yeovil
Service 54 will be leaving Taunton 20 minutes earlier at twenty minutes past every hour. The service will also be departing from Yeovil ten minutes earlier bang on the hour every hour.
These changes mean that one journey in each direction will be removed from the timetable,
Service 92: Taunton – Tiverton
In order to avoid buses passing each other along a narrow section of route, most departures from Tiverton Bus Station will be timed to depart at twenty minutes past every hour – five minutes later.
The new timetables are available to view online now at www.firstgroup.com. Passengers are advised to check timetables carefully before travelling.
For full details on all changes and affected routes click on the links below:
FIRST BUS SERVICE CHANGES IN SOMERSET
Somerset bus service changes (Taunton routes)
Comments
wonder what the bus station loiterers will hang out now tho???? maybe castle green maybe?
By ding08745 at 21:13 on 05/11/12
Reportso first day and no buses anywhere in taunton. most cancelled no town buses running. i hear vosa taken half the buses off the road cuz they dangerous andnot legal is the reason. be so nice when that ****** bus station is turned in2 a car park and coffee shop/cafe and bistro restaurant will be loads better that area
By ding08745 at 21:12 on 05/11/12
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