Issues over dates above bus timetables

 Someone complained to Frome town council about some bus  timetables up at the stops being out of date 

All bus timetables have a date above them saying valid from the date shown on them. In the case of some of the smaller operators who don't change as frequently the date can go back several years. The 162 has a date saying valid from 13/6/16 but is still in date as the service hasn't changed since that date.

If in any doubt about your bus timetables being in date check the bus operators website or give them a call. 

 BUS FARES TO BE CUT FROM JANUARY 1ST FOR 3 MONTHS

CHEAPER BUS FARES ON FIRST BUS, FARESAVER AND SELECTED FROMEBUS ROUTES

From January 1st it will cost £2 single fare on all Frome’s bus services operated by First Bus or Faresaver Buses. So, whether you travel between Frome Sainsburys and Bath bus station or between Frome Market Place and Chippenham, the single fare will only be £2.

In these times of prices always going up, it’s good that travelling by bus is going to be even cheaper!

Additionally, Wiltshire Council has decided the £2 flat fare will ALSO apply on bus services it supports. This means the FromeBus services from Frome to Westbury (47) and to Warminster (53), a single will only costs £2.

Somerset County Council has decided not to extend the scheme to services that Somerset supports so bus ticket prices to Radstock, Midsomer Norton and Shepton Mallet will be unchanged, at least for the time being. So Somerset County Council service 30, Libra Travel 184 and other Frome Bus service prices will also be unchanged.

It should be noted that coach operators aren't part of this scheme.

Dedicated school buses aren't part of the scheme either.

If travelling within Frome we believe the £1.50 single fare offered by First Bus won't change.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON £2 FARE SCHEME

The major fare cut is part of an initiative funded by the Government aimed at boosting bus use while helping passengers to save money as the cost of living crisis continues to hit.

The £2 single fare is available from all participating operators from 1st  January to 31st March. 130 bus operators across the country will introduce a £2 fare cap on single tickets. The initiative will apply to most routes in Somerset. You can check here https://www.somerset.gov.uk/busit  to see find out more about the scheme.

Other routes may be added to the above list during the period that the £2 fare cap is in force, and we will do our best to inform you promptly if and when that happens.

Some changes to the blog

Regular users will notice that we have removed our timetable and attractions sections this is because of out dated information and links not working. 

To access bus timetable information please visit our bus operators section to the R of the main blog. Nearly all of the operators are in that section except the new 30 operator which we are looking to address as soon as we can. This will ensure that bus users get the correct and up-to-date information

 The evening and Sunday D2 bus service is under threat. 

Frome and Villages Bus User Group (FAVBUG) would like to invite everyone to come to a photo call for a FAVBUG group photograph by the D2. 

This will be happening in the Market Place, Frome on Saturday 13 August at 820am. Please come and join us by Costa Coffee. 

We really need as many people as possible to come so really appreciate your help and support on this.

We have nearly 800 signatures on Cllr Sarah Dyke’s petition. If you haven’t signed it, please do https://www.somertonandfromelibdems.org.uk/d2

 SAVE THE D2 BUS - PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION

Sign Cllr Sarah Dyke  petition to save the D2 bus service from significant cuts.

Click here to sign the petition: https://www.somertonandfromelibdems.org.uk/d2

Sarah is the prospective LibDem prospective candidate for the Somerton & Frome parliamentary constituency. She is also Cabinet Member on Somerset County Council and South Somerset Council.

Somerset is now a LibDem County Council.

So it makes every sense to sign her petition NOW and thereby exert every pressure we can to ensure Somerset County Council finds the cash to protect our D2.

And just a reminder to the changes that will be made in October to the D2

D2 BUS SERVICE TO BE SLASHED FROM OCTOBER

Somerset County Council have informed us today that the D2 bus service will be slashed from October. 

See details below:

• A reduction in services from 190 services a week reduces to approximately 90 services. The first bus service to Bath / Frome could also be threatened as this is what normally happens when a bus service hours of operation is reduced. We know key workers use this bus to travel to the Royal United Hospital and other places in Bath.

• Revised timetable on Mondays to Fridays on an hourly frequency with evening service removed. Last buses from Frome at 1755 and from Bath at 1910.

• Revised timetable on Saturdays on an hourly frequency which retains an evening bus service. Last buses from Frome at 2210 and from Bath at 2310.

• Sunday and Public Holiday SERVICE WITHDRAWN

 The story about the 30 service cuts is on Page 7 of this week's Frome Times

 D2 BUS SERVICE TO BE SLASHED FROM OCTOBER

Somerset County Council have informed us today that the D2 bus service will be slashed from October. 

See details below:

• Revised timetable on Mondays to Fridays on an hourly frequency with evening service removed. Last buses from Frome at 1755 and from Bath at 1910.  

• Revised timetable on Saturdays on an hourly frequency which retains an evening bus service. Last buses from Frome at 2210 and from Bath at 2310.

• Sunday and Public Holiday SERVICE WITHDRAWN 

Also see in comments further bus changes across the First West of England network. Information provided by Somerset County Council.