PASSENGERS are being asked to help back a bid for potentially millions of pounds to improve bus services across Somerset.

The county council is to work in partnership with bus operators in the county to deliver improved services for everyone - and local people have a pivotal role to play.

Following the Government’s announcement in March of the new National Bus Strategy – ‘Bus Back Better’ - a £3billion pot of funding is being made available to improve bus services across the country and Somerset County Council can bid for a share of this in partnership with operators.

But first, the council needs to know about residents’ experience and where the gaps in services are.

You can take the survey HERE.

As part of the process the council’s cabinet has agreed to commit to forming an ‘Enhanced Partnership’ with all local bus operators in the county to access funding and improve services.

The first stage involves drawing up an ambitious Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) – a blueprint for future service provision across Somerset which will be used by Government to determine future funding for the county.

The public survey will feed into this as well as input from operators and other key stakeholders.

“The most important people in all of this are bus users in Somerset,” said Cllr John Woodman, cabinet member for highways and transport at County Hall.

“We need to hear about their experiences and what they think the council and operators need to be providing terms of services.

“Please take some time to complete the survey and give us the best possible chance of accessing as much funding as possible.”

The Bus Service Improvement Plan will be published by October 31. It will be further developed and updated annually.