DRT coming to North Somerset

Demand responsive transport (DRT) services are due to start in North Somerset.

North Somerset Council and the West of England Combined Authority have been working together on contracts for these new services which are due to start running from Monday 3 April. The services will see smaller buses being used to provide bespoke journeys without a set timetable or route. Initially there will be 16 buses in North Somerset running from 7am until 7pm, Monday to Saturday. Passengers will be able to book their journeys by phone or through a mobile app. Pricing is planned to be in line with fares for local buses.

The DRT services are expected to bring public transport to areas of North Somerset which have traditionally struggled to sustain timetabled services due to low passenger demand, or that may have been inaccessible to larger vehicles.

“We have high hopes for DRT” – Cllr Steve Hogg, North Somerset Council’s Executive Member for Highways and Transport

Cllr Steve Hogg, North Somerset Council’s Executive Member for Highways and Transport, said: “This development is such good news for those communities which have been struggling to access public transport since a number of commercial services were withdrawn last year in the wake of declining passenger numbers post-covid. Having a demand responsive service will enable the buses to go where they’re needed, and using smaller vehicles will be better for the environment.

“We have high hopes for DRT. It’s not a silver bullet, but it is an important step. There’s no fixed route and there’s no fixed timetable – the bus comes to you.”

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