A SINGLE journey £1 bus fare scheme in Taunton has won the 2023 Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation Sustainability Awards.

The Somerset Council fare capping initiative was part of its Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) to get more people using buses, using £12million Government funding.

The £1 single fare applies to journeys in the Taunton ‘zone’, and includes the park and ride sites.

A separate Government initiative has seen fares capped at £2 for any single journey across Somerset until October.

Other BSIP measures include evening services, mobility hubs and priority lanes.

Cllr Mike Rigby, Somerset County Council’s lead member for transport and digital, said: “The £1 fare has been a fantastic success with bus use up nearly a quarter in Taunton, and it’s great for the team that their efforts have been recognised.

“We’re not stopping there though, newly introduced evening buses and other measures such as priority lanes, better information and mobility hubs will hopefully increase the trend even further."

READ MORE: £1 bus journeys in Taunton.