BETTER BUSES: David secures direct hospital routes for Taunton

Early buses have opened up better journeys for visitors to Taunton’s Musgrove Park Hospital following a campaign by town councillor David Northey.

Residents in the Pyrland, Nerrols and Lyngford areas are seeing the benefits of extending the first two Route 1 buses through to Musgrove.

Cllr Northey, a member of the Somerset Bus User Group, said: “The change began with a clear aim – to help hospital staff who cannot park on site get to work in time for shifts starting at 7am and 8am.

“Working with First Bus, Somerset Council and the Musgrove Park Hospital estates team, we were able to agree a route and timetable that could make those journeys possible.

“Finding a solution took careful planning. Capacity at the hospital and the time available on the route were both challenges.

“The answer was to use the little-used Manor Orchard stop and take the bus around the hospital, giving passengers a direct connection while making the timetable work.”

Passengers have told Cllr Northey what the change means to them.

One said: “Having a direct service to the hospital has made the start of the day much easier.”

Another added: “Thank you for these services, as my daughter can now get to work independently.”

The extended journeys also serve County Hall, Bridgwater & Taunton College and Tesco, and have already generated additional passenger journeys.

A timetable change has connected neighbourhoods across Pyrland with several of Taunton’s major employment and education destinations.

Cllr Northey said there was is more to do with one passenger asking for a service to meet the 7pm shift changes.

He added: “I also want to see better provision at weekends and look at the journeys made by the many students travelling across town to get to and from education.

“You’ll often see me on the buses, so please feel free to stop and chat about what you would like to see improved across our bus network.

“I’m also working to set up a transport working group to bring residents’ ideas together and help turn them into practical improvements.”