First Bus changes in the West Country

First is announcing changes to a number of its bus services across Bristol, Bath and Somerset that come into effect on Sunday 4 November 2012.

First say:

'The changes are designed to address a wide range of issues and be responsive to the shifting needs of customers in the area. The afternoon route of Bridgwater’s Service 1, for example, is being changed to standardise the timetable throughout the day and improve punctuality. The alterations to Service 25 from Taunton to Dulverton are intended to meet capacity problems. Some services are being changed to serve outlying areas such as Brittons Ash near Taunton (on Service 29), or to serve new housing developments such as Kings Drive and Stockmoor (Bridgwater, Service 3).'

Speaking about the service changes, Simon Ford, Regional Network Manager for First in the South West and Wales, says:

“These service alterations are part of our on-going efforts to develop Somerset’s bus network and improve its reliability and punctuality. With the changes to the Service 3/3A in Taunton, we have improved connections to important community hubs such as Musgrove Park Hospital and Somerset College, adding another two buses an hour between them and Taunton Railway Station. We have also made changes to Service 54 (Taunton – Yeovil) to allow more regular intervals between buses that run on the stretch of road from Somerton to Yeovil, where its route overlaps with the Service 377 (Wells – Yeovil). As we seek to match our resources against the level of demand for our services some routes have been changed, while others have had the number or frequency of buses increased, a few have also been redesigned and revised.  We would advise all our customers to check the new timetables carefully before travelling. They will be made available online, for people to view or download at www.firstgroup.com/somerset, from 26 October, while hardcopy versions will be available to pick up from our travel shops from the week beginning 29 October.”

For more information about First in Somerset and Avon log onto, www.firstgroup.com/Somerset

New timetables will be added to the website on 26 October,and made available from Travel Shops in the region from the week beginning the 29 October.Those wanting independent travel information in the UK can also call Traveline on, 0871 200 22 33, or got to www.travelinesw.com.

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