CHANGES are set to be made to North Somerset's on-demand WESTlink service to help "improve availability" for passengers.

From April 8, a series of changes will be made to the mini-bus service, which was launched in April 2023 by The West of England Combined Authority and North Somerset Council as a trial.

The service aims to support those who may not live within designated bus zones.

Since it started, more than 110,000 trips have been made by people travelling on WESTlink. 

Feedback from a user on the rider app said: “It picked us up on time, was very easy to use and book a bus."

The council have been consistently reviewing the service. In December 2023, a Bus Forum was held to allow residents to give feedback. 1,700 people also responded to a survey which was used to help shape April's bus operational changes.

People expressed that they couldn't always access the bus when they wanted to.

As a result, the following changes are set to be introduced: 

  • Smaller WESTlink zones to reduce long trips and increase availability for more users;
  • Removing WESTlink from areas which are well-served by regular bus services;
  • Adding in places requested by residents such as Hutton Moor Leisure Centre and Audley Redwood Retirement Village;
  • Implementing an app feature where if a suitable bus service can be used to complete the user's requested journey, they won't be offered a WESTlink;
  • Allowing people with already-purchased AvonRider multi-operator bus tickets to use them on WESTlink.

 

Zones

 

From April 8, the three large core zones in which the bus operates will be replaced by eight smaller core zones and 13 shared zones.

From March 25, maps showing the new zones will be available on the travelWEST website.

There will also be new North Somerset locations served by updated WESTlink zones. These include: 

  • Nailsea & Backwell Rail Station;
  • Wick St Lawrence, Icelton, Bourton, West Hewish, East Hewish and Puxton;
  • Audley Redwood Retirement Village (at request of residents), along with nearby Failand;
  • Hutton Moor Leisure Centre (at request of users). 

Cllr Hannah Young, Executive Member for Highways and Transport at North Somerset Council, said: "The changes taking place this April aim to improve availability to passengers so that more people can reliably get a WESTlink when they need one."