Bus campaigners in Frome have welcomed an increase in government funding to improve local bus services.
Somerset Council was recently awarded around £11.4 million over four years up to 2029-30, plus a three-year revenue settlement of about £13.1 million up to 2028-29 under the Bus Service Fund. The council is now exploring proposals to enhance bus provision across the county.
The funding has been welcomed by Frome and Villages Bus User Group (FAVBUG) and Somerset Bus Partnership, which campaigns for better local services.
Co-chair of FAVBUG and Somerset Bus Partnership Peter Travis said, “This settlement means the funding of the D2 evening services between Frome and Bath can continue. The Frome bus services which will continue to be supported directly from Somerset Council’s funds are the Frome 30 Town Service, Frome/Shepton Mallet 162, Frome/Midsomer Norton 184, Frome/Midsomer Norton 414/422.
“Government funding will also see an electric bus introduced onto the Frome 30 Town service in the spring of 2026.”
Somerset Bus Partnership has proposed further improvements for Frome, including reinstating Saturday services on the 162 (Frome-Shepton Mallet) and 184 (Frome-Midsomer Norton), and introducing a Sunday service on the X34 (Frome-Chippenham).
Peter added, “Somerset has one of the worst-rated bus services in the country and this extra government funding will help go a little way towards addressing it.”
