Popular Yeovil South Petherton no. 81 bus spared service cuts

A popular Yeovil bus service running low on funds has been spared route and timetable cuts after a £20,000 cash injection.

The number 81 South West Coaches service, from Yeovil to South Petherton, was facing serious challenges as £35,000 of council funding was running out.

South West Coaches was due to reduce the service and alter the route so that it no longer served Norton Sub Hambdon or South Petherton Hospital.

However the operator will now be able to continue the original service following a £20,000 injection of funds from Somerset County Concil's 2013 public transport budget.

Managing Director of South West Coaches, Alan Graham, said: "I am really pleased we have managed to come to an agreement to keep the service running.

"I am in the process of visiting parish councils to inform them of this valuable service with the hope of attracting more users to ensure its continuation well into the future."  

Councillor Harvey Siggs, who is the Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways said: "The funding for this route was due to end in March as it was envisaged the service would be commercially viable by this time. However this has not proved possible.

"Thankfully due to further efficiencies in public transport, £20,000 can now be used from this budget to help fund the service for a further year.

"The message I would like to get across to the public is that they need to use the service or risk losing it next year."