THE WESTlink buses have been given a community test-run in preparation for their official launch.

The buses were tested out yesterday (March 16, 2023) ahead of them being used by the public on April 3, 2023.

Residents will be able to book the minibuses by an app, a website or over the phone, encouraging people who may not have access to a local service to have the freedom to travel with ease.

In this way, local North Somerset communities can be more connected.

The service will run from Monday to Saturday, 7am until 7pm. The service won't be available on Sundays or Bank Holidays.

During the trial period, the bus will cost £2 per adults, £1 per child and concessionary bus passes will be accepted.

These prices will then be charged at standard commercial service costs, in line with Government guidelines from July.

Steve Hogg, North Somerset Council’s executive member for Highways and Transport, said: “WESTlink will make a positive difference to communities that no longer have a bus service available to them, reconnecting people to key train and bus services, offering them public transport to medical appointments or even a trip to the cinema with a friend.

“Booking is easy – you put in your destination time and the system will calculate when you need to be at the nearest active bus stop to you.

"There will also be ‘virtual stops’, which will be made clear when you book.

“This service won’t solve all our bus problems, but it will make a positive difference to those that need it the most.”

Jonathan Hampson, head of UK Partnerships at Via, the global leader in TransitTech, said: “Via is thrilled to partner with North Somerset Council to introduce WESTLink, an innovative demand-responsive minibus service.

"Via’s intelligent software will work to fill transport access gaps in remote areas and make it easier for locals to travel without a private car.

"Passengers can download the WESTLink app and start using the service in just a few weeks.” 

The WESTlink service is part of North Somerset's Bus Improvement Service Plan (BSIP), which aims to make the bus service cheaper, greener and more reliable.

For more information on the WESTlink service, visit the North Somerset Council's website.