NORTH Somerset Council is asking residents, community groups and businesses to share their experiences of bus travel.

The Bus User Forum will take place on Tuesday, December 5, at Weston's Town Hall Council Chamber.

The feedback provided will help to influence future bus service improvement plans and make using public transport a better experience for everyone.

Residents will be able to share their thoughts with North Somerset Executive Lead for Highways and Transport, Cllr Hannah Young, as well as the council teams working to improve bus services in partnership with bus operators and the West of England Combined Authority.  

For convenience, there will be two sessions taking place. The first will be from 3.30pm until 5.30pm, followed by a second at 6pm until 8pm.

No ticket is required.

Cllr Hannah Young, Executive Member for Highways and Transport at North Somerset Council, said: “We would love to see as many people as possible at our Bus User Forum event on Tuesday, December 5.

"This will help us understand how the bus network across North Somerset currently works for you and what we and our local bus operators can do to improve it.  

“Through our Bus Service Improvement Plan, in partnership with bus operators and the West of England Combined Authority, we are committed to working with communities to review bus services, fares, journey planning and the packages we offer.

"We are also working to increase bus reliability and reduce journey times through bus priority schemes along key routes that will make services more cost-effective and sustainable in the longer-term.  

"Buses are the only means of travel for some residents and a vital part of decarbonising the way that we travel – the plans are helping to recover the bus network across North Somerset which was severely affected by the pandemic but it is really important that they continue to improve.”   

It is hoped that bus services across the West of England Combined Authority and North Somerset area will become faster, more convenient, coordinated and better for the environment and your finances than your car.

The council is urging residents to walk or wheel where possible. This could help the council achieve its carbon neutral goal by 2030.