CAMPAIGNERS have rallied to support the return of an evening bus service to Taunton, with the backing of two local MPs.
Nearly 15 years ago, residents of Wiveliscombe and Milverton were served by an evening bus, which travelled to and from Taunton until 10.30pm, with a mid-evening service stopping at Musgrove Park Hospital.
In 2011, following a 50 per cent reduction in bus subsidies by the then-Somerset County Council, numerous evening services were withdrawn.
Further cuts were made in subsequent years, and now there are no evening services serving these communities, with the last service of the day departing from Taunton at 5.40pm.
Rachel Gilmour, MP for Minehead and Tiverton, and Gideon Amos, the Taunton and Wellington MP, have both supported calls from the "Wivey-Welly Bus User Group" to restore evening bus services on the 25 route connecting Wiveliscombe and Milverton with Taunton.
The Wivey-Welly Bus User Group recently conducted a survey to gauge local opinion on the return of an evening service.
The group received 78 responses, with only two opposed to the service being brought back.
Of those who responded, 89.8 per cent said they would use a restored evening service, and 86.7 per cent said weekend services are most needed.
Several respondents also mentioned the need for a Sunday service, which was also lost to these communities in 2011.
Rachel Gilmour, MP for Tiverton and Minehead, said: "I know from talking to people across Wiveliscombe and Milverton just how much the loss of these services has cost local communities.
"When the last bus leaves Taunton, people cannot get to evening work or even shifts at Musgrove Park Hospital.
"Rural businesses need staff who can get to and from their place of work. Employers in health and social care cannot fill evening and weekend shifts because their employees have no way of travelling, and people are being cut off from friends and family.
"The Wivey-Welly Bus User Group has shown that the demand is there, and I am proud to support their campaign. I will make sure Wiveliscombe, Milverton and the communities along the 25 route are not left behind."
Gideon Amos OBE MP for Taunton and Wellington said: "Linking Wellington to Milverton and Wiveliscombe with an evening bus service would connect with the 22, which my Somerset councillor colleagues have ensured now runs until midnight every weekday.
"Congratulations to the User Group for raising the profile of this route."
Share