First plans Bridgwater depot closure

Buses of Somerset (First Bus South) lists ‘extremely challenging circumstances’ as a reason behind its plan to close its Bridgwater depot. The move is effective from 3 September and is part of further changes to its Somerset business.

All services previously run from Bridgwater will operate from First Bus’s other depots across Somerset. As a result of the closure, there will be some changes to timetables from 3 September.

“We are operating in extremely challenging circumstances…which is affecting the viability of some routes” – Simon Goff, Managing Director for First Bus South

Simon Goff, Managing Director for First Bus South, said: “We are committed to serving our communities in Somerset and continue to work closely through the enhanced partnership with Somerset Council to deliver the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) to provide bus services for our customers in the county.

“To protect the future of Buses of Somerset, we are making some operational changes to our business and have taken the difficult decision to propose the closure of Bridgwater depot. This is not a decision we have taken lightly, and our people are all being supported to find new roles in our business.

“We are operating in extremely challenging circumstances, with rising costs, and while passenger numbers are increasing due to current fare promotion schemes, they are still below pre-Covid levels, which is affecting the viability of some routes.

“From September, there will be some changes to timetables for our routes in Somerset. These alterations reflect low passenger numbers on some journeys, as well as providing increased frequency for other routes where we are seeing passenger growth.”