Bridgwater Town Council has agreed to explore ambitious plans to establish a municipal bus operator, aimed at transforming public transport across the town and surrounding villages.
The proposal was discussed and supported at a Full Council meeting on 7 May 2026, where members agreed to further investigate the opportunity in response to recent changes in national legislation allowing the creation of new publicly owned bus companies.
The Department for Transport is currently seeking a location to pilot a new municipal bus model and Bridgwater is the only Town Council in England to have formally expressed an interest in hosting the scheme. The Council has also invited Transport Minister Simon Lightwood MP to hear directly how Bridgwater could lead the way in delivering this approach.
The proposal comes at a time when local bus provision is facing increasing challenges. Following the closure of First Bus’s Bridgwater depot, services have become more costly to operate, with vehicles now travelling in from depots outside the town. A locally based municipal operator, operating from an expanded depot at Saltlands, would help address this by improving efficiency and reliability while reducing costs.
The scheme would make full use of Somerset Council’s in-house fleet and expertise, helping to deliver a modern, locally focused bus network. This would include better connections between the town centre, railway station and key destinations, as well as improved links to new housing developments, employment areas and surrounding villages. Increased service frequency, along with enhanced evening and Sunday provision, would help make public transport a more practical and attractive option for residents.
Councillor Mick Lerry said,
“This is a really exciting opportunity for Bridgwater to take a lead in shaping the future of local transport. At our Full Council meeting on 7 May, members agreed that we should explore the potential for a municipal bus operator, recognising both the challenges we currently face and the opportunities this could bring.
“We have seen the impact of reduced local provision since the closure of the Bridgwater depot, and there is a clear need for a more reliable, locally focused service.
“A municipal operator could give us greater control over routes, ticketing timetabling of bus services, improve connections for our residents and surrounding villages and support access to jobs, education and healthcare.
“This is about creating a transport system that works for our communities now and in the future and we look forward to working with Somerset Council and Government to develop this proposal further.”
Councillor Tim Mander added,
“Public transport is a lifeline for many in our community and it’s vital that it meets the needs of residents both in Bridgwater and the surrounding villages. Exploring a municipal bus operator gives us the opportunity to design services around the people who rely on them, rather than being constrained by commercial priorities.
“This proposal is about creating a more connected town, improving access to employment, education and services, and supporting our wider ambitions for sustainable growth. I’m pleased that the Council is taking proactive steps to look at innovative solutions that could deliver long-term benefits for our residents.”
Bridgwater Town Council will continue discussions with Somerset Council, Government and key partners to assess the feasibility of the proposal and position Bridgwater as a strong candidate for this national pilot.