Town ‘bucking trend’ with new bus services
New timetables for the First Bus services D2 and D2X and the x34 to Chippenham, operated by Faresaver, have been published.
The changes coincided with the introduction of a new service to Salisbury. The 24 replaces the 53 service to Warminster and runs from Frome Market Place to Salisbury six days a week. As single bus fares are currently capped at £2, that means a return journey from Frome to Salisbury costs just £4.
Peter Travis, of Frome and Villages Bus Users’ group (FAVBUG) and recent recipient of a Mayor’s Civic Award from Frome Town Council, said: “Operated jointly by Beeline Coaches and FromeBus, the new 24 Salisbury service replaces and extends the former 53 Frome/Warminster service that had been operated by FromeBus. This new bus service operates six days a week with the last weekday service to Frome leaving Salisbury at 17:50 which allows for plenty of time to explore the city.
“April also sees changes to both D2/D2x Frome/Bath bus services operated by First Bus and X34 Frome to Trowbridge & Chippenham times, this service is operated by Faresaver. New bus timetables are available from Discover Frome located in Frome Library. Please note that there may be a small charge for printing a timetable.”
Frome Mayor Philip Campagna, a keen supporter of local bus services, and often to be found sprucing up Frome’s bus shelters, said: “Effective, affordable public transport is key to tackling climate change and promoting more sustainable travel. The lack of good public transport options in rural and semi-rural areas is a longstanding issue and it’s thanks to people like Peter Travis and the FAVBUG team that Frome is bucking the trend, offering a viable alternative to getting in the car. Thank you to them for their work and to the service operators for keeping Frome moving.”
You can also find useful links and an up-to-date bus map on the FTC website at https://www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk/our-community/ transport/