11/08/2026
Summer Newsletter
567 Glastonbury and Street Rail Link goes live!
The new Glastonbury & Street to Castle Cary express bus service (route 567) commenced on Monday 3rd August 🎉 It runs 7 days a week, including late evening services on weekdays. The combination of the 567 and 667 will provide 29 journeys a day between Street and Castle Cary station including both directions. Fares are locked at the national £3 fare cap keeping all journeys affordable and making it a much cheaper alternative to driving to the station and parking. The bus will run fast from Street to Castle Cary station via Butleigh and Keinton Mandeville on the way. Daytime journeys will also extend to Castle Cary town centre after serving the station.
The service will be operated by Somerset Council using 16 seater accessible minibuses.
The service will run for a trial period of 6 months. Please spread the word and make the most of your new bus service. If not enough people use it, the service will be axed in 2027 so use it or lose it!
Exmoor 300 (formally Exmoor Coaster) has returned
One of the most scenic bus trips in the country has returned for the Summer season running from now until the end of August. The open top bus runs between Minehead and Lynmouth and a separate closed top single decker bus between Lynmouth and Ilfracombe. The service is operated by Stagecoach and is subject to the £3 bus fare cap, an absolute bargain! Timetable here.
Kids Go FREE this August
Children aged 5–15 can travel for free on participating local buses all month long - no sign‑up, no hassle, just hop on and go!
Although not required, teenagers are advised to carry proof of age if available to show the driver.
Make the most of summer with easy, affordable days out. Whether it’s parks, beaches, museums or visiting friends, the bus is the simplest way to explore.
A list of confirmed services here.
£2 bus cap set to return in January 2027
The new Labour Prime Minster Andy Burnham has in his first week, announced a reduction of the bus fare cap from £3 to £2 starting in January 2027. More details to follow in a newsletter later in the year.
Concessionary pass
Across Somerset, a number of bus routes do allow concessionary pass use before 9:30, thanks to a quietly published list of early‑valid services.
Somerset Bus Partnership encourages everyone with a concessionary pass to check whether their local route is included - it’s a simple change that can open up your morning options.
Find the list here
We recommend having a copy of this list to hand when boarding the bus in case your driver is unfamiliar with the easement and tries charging you.
Wivey–Welly Bus User Group produces bus timetable
Digital version of the timetable here
The Wivey-Welly Bus User Group has produced a comprehensive timetable of the bus routes serving their local area including information on coaches and on-demand services. They hope this will fill the gap for those reliant on or who prefer printed timetables, which the bus companies no longer issue.
The BUG is grateful for a grant from CAGS (Community Action Groups Somerset) towards the cost of this initial edition which they would like to produce each April to coincide with the annual service changes. They hope the timetable booklet will encourage people to use buses both for regular journeys and for longer trips, e.g. to Honiton, Seaton, Dulverton and Tiverton as well as to destinations such as Sheppy’s C***r and Rumwell Farm Shop, Coldharbour Mill, the Thelma Hulbert Gallery in Honiton and Tiverton Castle.
Copies have been distributed via local libraries, town council offices, churches and shops in Wellington, Wiveliscombe, Milverton and Langford Budville and the BUG has sent a press release to the local press.
Why bus it?
Cheaper The cost of fuel, tyres, servicing our cars continues to rise. Bus travel remains capped at £3 a single trip until January when it becomes £2.
Accessible Buses are for everyone and take us directly to the centre of our towns and right outside our hospitals and railway stations.
Reduces traffic Each driver that chooses to bus it is one less car in the queue. So when you need to drive, you get to your destination faster.
Environmentally friendly Buses slash emissions by moving more people with fewer vehicles helping to lower local air pollution.
SLINKY
The SLINKY is for everyone, want to go to a rural pub a couple of miles from the 54 bus route? Arrange for the SLINKY bus to pick you up at a stop on the 54 route and take you to a designated SLINKY stop near the pub. Want to nip to the next village along to see a friend? Book SLINKY.
The service is continuing to expand with more buses and expanded areas. These areas can be booked on the app - Somerton, Taunton & Wellington and
Sedgemoor
Download the SLINKY Somerset App now
These services are bookable by phone
Mendip 01749 880482
South Somerset 08448 009646
West Somerset 01643 707090
You can register via phone or on the website.
Management Team Update
David Northey has been elected as the new Chair of Somerset Bus Partnership. We thank Peter Travis and Tony Reece for their incredible efforts in starting this very special group and helping it grow to what it is today. They will continue as important members of Somerset Bus Partnership.
Want to help out?
We're always looking for volunteers to help out at either events mentioned above or ones that you'd like to organise. Have a soft spot for your local route and want to get involved in promoting it? How about showing off your social media skills? Is there a community event in your area where you would like to hold a bus stall? Get in touch.
The long term future of all these services depends on us, our friends, families and colleagues taking advantage and promoting them whether that's a one off journey or making it part of our routine.
FAQ
Bus not turned up or arrived more than 20 minutes late?
See Compensation after Disruption on our website for your options. Some operators may offer a travel vouchers.
How do I track my bus?
Bustimes.org - this covers all buses.
Operators app or website
Where do I get bus timetables?
Special mention for TravelineSW. Type in your route number, click the relevant service. Select whether you want just the main stops and press 'PDF'. The website will generate your own personalised timetable which can be printed out.
Timetables are also available on the operators website or via Bustimes.org
Over the last few years we have persuaded some bus operators to continue to fund the printing of timetables however we are finding this more challenging. Local libraries will often print timetables for a small fee. We also fund a small number for distribution at our bus stalls.
How do I plan my journey?
www.google.com/maps (Covers all types of transport)
somerset.thinktravel.info (Covers bus journeys)
How much is a bus journey?
All single bus journeys are capped at £3 until the end of the year. The cap will reduce to £2 in January 2027.
Some operators offer discounted tickets for short journeys, area based tickets or group tickets. Consider these to save money.
