A campaigning bus passenger is fighting to save a doomed rural route for residents of High Littleton, Timsbury, Farmborough and Marksbury. Damien Valentine says the hourly 178 service from Radstock to Bristol is a lifeline for villagers commuting to work and school.
But the route is facing the axe under sweeping changes by First West of England, due to take effect from October, aimed at providing “more reliable services” which “reflect customer demand” and account for “acute driver shortages”, the operator says.
The 178 is an hourly route running from morning until evening during the week, and two-hourly on Saturdays. “It’s an absolutely vital service,” said Damien, “as many people here use it to get to work or school.
