Making Your Bus Journey Easier

Bus users travelling between Taunton and Minehead can now get the times of forthcoming buses at the touch of a mobile phone button thanks to Somerset County Council’s Transporting Somerset team.

A new system allows travellers to text the code of their chosen bus stop to the Traveline Text service (84268). In a matter of seconds they will receive back a text message showing the scheduled arrival of the next three buses at that stop or, if requested, the times of a specific bus service number.

The high-tech project is being launched on number 28 route between Taunton and Minehead, with plates carrying identification codes installed at stops along the route. The system will be rolled out to more services across Somerset later in the year, making it even easier for communities across Somerset to use the bus network to improve their access to all corners of the County.

Mark Pedlar, Group Manager for Transporting Somerset, said: “It’s important that we help our customers make the most of the County’s bus services in as many ways as possible. This new system should appeal to text-savvy travellers who want to make sure they know exactly when the next bus is due without having to consult a traditional time table.”

Somerset County Council funding currently supports more than 140 bus routes across the County, as well as providing 150,000 bus timetable booklets and 18,000 County bus maps.

Councillor Tony Shire, Somerset County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Highways, said: “Somerset County Council is committed to helping people get where they want to go, and encouraging use of the bus network is key to reducing pollution and congestion. We have to make the most of changing technologies and I hope this extra service will make catching a bus even more convenient.”

All texts cost 25p plus the standard network charges. As well as checking the code plate, you can also find your bus stop code by visiting the www.transportdirect.com website.

Leaflets explaining the system are available from Somerset County Council by calling 0845 345 9155 or emailing transport@somerset.gov.uk