Age UK expressed their concern regarding the proposed changes to bus services in North East Somerset in an open letter to Mayor of the West of England Combined Authority, Mayor of Bristol City Council, Leaders of Bath & North East Somerset Council and South Gloucestershire Council.

Chief Executive Officer of Age UK Bath & North East Somerset, Simon Allen, wrote in The Journal's Letters page: "Dear Mayor of the West of England Combined Authority, Mayor of Bristol City Council, Leaders of Bath & North East Somerset Council and South Gloucestershire Council, we are writing to express our concern about the proposed changes to the supported bus services in North East Somerset, and to ask for your continued support in ensuring that these changes do not leave older members of our community without access to reliable and affordable transportation.

'The World Health Organisation have identified Transport as a key tenet of what makes an Age Friendly Community to ensure that no member of our community has trouble in moving around their neighbourhood.

'As you know, supported bus services are publicly funded transportation services that are provided in areas where there is not enough demand for a commercially viable bus route. These services are intended to ensure that residents in these areas have access to reliable and affordable public transportation.

'Demand responsive transport (DRT) on the other hand, is a type of public transportation service that is designed to respond to the specific transportation needs of individuals or small groups of people, rather than following a fixed route and schedule. DRT operates on an on-demand basis, with passenger s booking a trip in advance and then being picked up and dropped off at their desired locations.

'Stopping supported bus services in North East Somerset may have a number of negative impacts on the communities that rely on them, particularly for older people and those experiencing inequality.

'Whilst we support the introduction of Demand Responsive Transport; we must ensure that it is accessible to all not just those who know how to use a computer or app.

'According to Age UK (2019), older people are more likely to have mobility issues, be digitally excluded and to live in rural areas where access to Demand Responsive Transport may be of great benefit, to reduce isolation, enable access to healthcare, education and employment opportunities.

'However, we have already been contacted by members of our community who are worried about the potential impact of these changes and how they will impact their daily lives. One letter reads,

“… This is going to affect an awful lot of people. We only want a chance to live our lives the same as others with dignity and independence… I don’t know how I will keep going for my hospital check-ups and treatments, and many will be even lonelier.”

'We also call for more funding for existing Community Transport Schemes, such as SWAN Transport and Dial-a-Ride services in Midsomer Norton, Radstock and Keynsham, to ensure that members of our community who are most in need are not left behind without access to reliable and affordable transportation.

'Age UK Bath | North East Somerset will be listening to the experiences of our community members and closely monitoring the impact of the changes to the supported bus network and the introduction of Demand Responsive Transport.

'We urge you to take all necessary steps to ensure that these changes do not leave members of our community without access to reliable and affordable transportation.

'Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Yours sincerely,

Simon Allen

Chief Executive Officer, Age UK Bath | North East Somerset'

B&NES Council Leader Kevin Guy and West of England Mayor Dan Norris have previously spoken to The Journal about proposed changes to the bus services: