On Demand Bus Service for Kingston Seymour & North Somerset

On Demand Bus Service – WESTlink

Updated 3rd April 2023

The service is now LIVE!

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Updated 29th March 2023

The phone apps are now available on the Apple App Store and on Google Play.  Just search for WESTlink.

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Updated 22nd March 2023

• The service will start on 3rd April 2023 and is intended to provide a bus service for areas where “big buses” don’t run.
• A phone app will be available from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store in the week commencing 27th March
• The service can also be accessed by telephoning 0117 457 8561.  (This goes to a call centre based in Southampton)
• The App and the Call Centre will go live on Monday 3rd April
• The service will run from 07.00 to 19.00 on Mondays to Saturdays
• It is not a door-to-door “taxi” service but will serve bus stops and virtual bus stops that are established over time.  To start with in KS, the village green stop will be the active one but others can potentially be added.
• Stickers will be applied to bus stops in the area.  These carry the QR code to get to the app ….and the telephone number
• After the opening day, journeys can be booked up to 24 hours in advance and returns can be booked at the same time
• The app (or the call centre) will determine whether the precise times can be accommodated before confirming the booking.
• On the app, you will be able to see the progress of the vehicle towards your booked pick up.
• The fare will be £2 single and £1 for a child to your destination within the North Somerset zone.
• Payment is by card on the app or by CASH ONLY to the driver
• Concessionary passes will be accepted
• Dogs only carried at the discretion of the driver

There is more information on the TravelWest site – links below

More about WESTlink (external webpage opens in a new window)

WESTlink Area Map (external webpage opens in a new window)

 

I’m told that this is the largest Direct Response Travel service ever launched in this country and there will be teething troubles.  It is not a personal taxi service so my impression is that you should not expect very speedy journey times ….particularly at times of high demand as routes are adapted – dynamically – to collect or drop off other users.  But for the price – and for the fact that a bus can be caught in KS again – this has to be a great step forward.

There are other improvements being made to the “big bus” network in North Somerset including new bus shelters and digital displays at bus stops, new bus lanes and bus responsive traffic lights.  In addition, when the works in Yatton high street are complete later in the year, the X5 route will run through Clevedon, Yatton and Congresbury on its way to and from Weston – instead of zooming down the motorway past us!

The team at NSC are looking for “Champions” of the new WESTlink service.  If you would like to fulfil that role for Kingston Seymour – being the expert on the service, its app and usage and promoting it to your neighbours and the community – please contact me and I’ll put you in touch.

Steve Dixon, Parish Clerk, 22nd March 2023

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We have received this notification from NSC

Bringing buses back to rural communities

Bus travel in North Somerset is about to take a leap forward with innovative new services being introduced across the area.

Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) is being introduced in 14 zoned areas across the West of England and four of these are in North Somerset.  This new approach to bus travel means buses will go where they’re needed, without set timetables or routes.

Communities which have traditionally struggled to sustain timetabled services due to low passenger demand will now be catered for.   Smaller vehicles will be used, which will have less environmental impact. These smaller buses will also be able to access roads which larger commercial buses cannot.

A number of bus services were cut in North Somerset last year so this will be good news for those communities.  The DRT zones in North Somerset are still being considered and will be adjusted over time to cater for demand.

The broad areas expected to begin with are:

We’ve been working with the West of England Combined Authority on contracts for these new services, which are due to start running from Monday 3 April.   Initially there will be 16 buses in North Somerset, running from 7am until 7pm, Monday to Saturday.  You’ll be able to book a journey by phone or through a mobile app.

The buses can be used for short trips or to connect to the wider public transport network. Prices will be in-line with fares for local buses and Diamond Travel concessionary passes will be accepted, along with the West of England multi-operator ticketing for seamless onward travel.  We’ll share news over the coming weeks about how to access the new services

I will share more details as I receive them

Steve Dixon, Parish Clerk, 3rd February 2023