Taunton’s MP, Gideon Amos, has welcomed the reinstatement of a vital morning bus service in the town.
The 6.22am bus from Wellsprings and Priorswood into the town centre has returned after Somerset Council stepped in to fund it.
It means staff at Musgrove Park Hospital will be able to get to their early shift, along with other people needing to catch early trains or reach their place of work.
Mr Amos - along with local councillors and Somerset Bus Partnership - has been campaigning for the return of the service and he was one of the passengers on the first early morning service.
The MP said: “I am delighted the route has been reinstated after the bus partnership and I raised this face to face with First Bus managers.
“For the passengers I joined first thing in the morning, getting to work on the bus on time is possible again “
“Having the support of north Taunton’s Lib Dem councillors Liam Pollard, Tom Deakin and Lee Baker really helped make the case and showed the team working effectively together for our town.
“We still need much better public transport and I’m disappointed that First Bus has reduced so many services recently.
“But my Lib Dem Somerset councillor colleagues have made a cracking start to turn things around.
“In the last year or two they have saved the Park and Ride and made it viable again, extended the Wellington bus until midnight and rolled out brand new pollution free buses, all with sparse public funding available.
“Also, after the closure of Taunton Bus Station by the bus company, it’s great to know our councillors are working on reopening it.
“What a contrast to the previous administration who proposed closing the Park and Ride altogether.”
David Northey, bus partnership spokesperson, added: “It was good to see passengers returning to the bus, following its withdrawal in April.
“There was an air of excitement by the users that their lifeline to work had been restored and that their voice had been heard.”
Cllr Richard Wilkins, Lead Member for Transport on Somerset Council, said: ““Having listened to concerns raised, I am pleased we are funding an early running of this important route.
“It is vital that the patronage during this journey is maintained."
