A number of changes are being made to bus services locally from Sunday, 24th March, which First say are steps to improve the local network.

The alterations affect a number of existing services, including the 178 and 179, that travel into Bath through Midsomer Norton, while two new services, the 2 and 177, are being introduced.

Talking about the changes, Simon Ford, Regional Network Manager, says: "There are some fairly big alterations being made, but in almost every case where a particular route is being amended, or withdrawn, there are alternatives in place, meaning that people will still have access to bus services. In planning these changes, we have worked closely with the local authority, to find what we consider to be innovative ways to retain supported bus journeys, even where the funding for them has been squeezed. Customers are encouraged to use the services that are being provided, as those operating commercially will only be sustainable in the long term if they are used."

"We would urge customers to check the new timetables for the affected services carefully. They will be made available online from Friday, 15th March and in hard copy from Saturday, 16th March."

With regard to the services through the Midsomer Norton area into Bath, the 178 (the Bath to Bristol route) has slight changes. Specifically, some early morning journeys, such as the 6.50 a.m. Monday to Friday departure from Keynsham to Bath and the 8 a.m. Monday to Friday departure from Midsomer Norton to Bath are both being brought forward by five minutes. Customers who use these early journeys should consult the new timetables carefully to ensure they understand how they may affect them and any important journeys they make.

In addition to this and following the award of a contract by Bath and North East Somerset Council, there will be a service 178 journey to Bristol, departing Bath at 9.30 p.m. Monday to Saturday. A return journey will also be added in, departing Bristol at 11.15 p.m. These journeys will operate to and from Bristol Bus Station.

Finally, there are some changes to the funding arrangements of service 178, with all Sunday and Public Holiday daytime journeys being taken on commercially by First, rather than being supported by B&NES. From Monday, 24th March, all journeys on the 179 Bath to Midsomer Norton service (with the exception of the last journey in either direction on Sundays and Public Holidays) will be provided commercially by First, with no support from B&NES.

To replace the current 678 service, a new service, the 177, is being introduced. This will work in tandem with the 178 to effectively provide Council-funded extensions to existing commercial journeys. The extended journeys will be funded by B&NES Council and will provide three journeys between Radstock and Bristol on Sundays and Public Holidays. 177 journeys will follow the same route as the 178, but will serve Writhlington and Park Estate in Keynsham.