RESIDENTS in North Somerset are set to benefit from WESTlocal, an allocated fund for community groups to create public transport services designed by them, for them.

North Somerset Council is pleased to announce the success of three bids.

The awarded WESTlocal schemes will launch in September 2024 and provide vital connections to key locations such as workplaces, supermarkets, shopping centres, local towns, or other public transport options.

The cost of a single journey will be in line with the national fare cap, which is currently £2 until 31 December 2024, and bus passes will be accepted on the new services.

Set up in collaboration with the West of England Combined Authority as part of the region’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), WESTlocal is helping communities to address unique transport needs by establishing not-for-profit services with local transport operators.

The successful schemes in North Somerset are:

West of England Rural Network, partnering with Big Lemon

• Providing a link connecting the villages of Felton, Winford and Dundry with Bristol. There will also be an afternoon connection from Backwell school to the villages.

Voluntary Action North Somerset, partnering with Nailsea & District Community Transport

• Providing a weekday commuter link from Wrington to key transport interchanges. Morning trip from Wrington to Congresbury (offering connection for X1 bus), Yatton Rail Station and Bristol Airport, with evening return journey.

Voluntary Action North Somerset, partnering with Weston & District Community Transport

• Operating between 09.30am and 2.30pm each weekday, an accessible minibus will serve a number of highly-targeted areas, each with one or two return trips a week.

These will be focused on underserved places in Weston-super-Mare and the surrounding area.

The exact routes and timings are to be confirmed.

These services are operating on a trial basis funded by BSIP until March 2026.

North Somerset Council will work with the community groups, with the aim that the services become financially sustainable beyond March 2026.

Further information will be released about the services shortly.

Look out for this on the WEST website.

Cllr Hannah Young, executive member for Highways and Transport at North Somerset Council, said: “We are thrilled to announce the launch of these community-led public transport schemes on a trial basis, which would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our community groups.

“Their efforts in designing these services highlight the commitment of our local residents who want to address community needs and ensure vital connections for as many people as possible across North Somerset.

“We have identified funding for these trial services through to March 2026 as part of the BSIP, so I encourage you to support them as much as you can.

“We want to make sure they have the strongest possible chance of long-term sustainability.”

In partnership with the West of England Combined Authority, the region’s BSIP is working to create a well-connected public transport system fit for now and the future.

The council said it aims for services to be well used and cost effective, making increased bus services more financially viable for bus operators to continue to run.