Bristol, Bath and the West

Press release: Gifts all round, as First gives buses to Bridgwater

Gifts all round, as First gives buses to Bridgwater

JUSTIN Davies, the Managing Director of First Somerset and Avon was outside the Angel Shopping Centre in Bridgwater on Wednesday 6 August handing out gifts to 14 lucky residents. In doing this he was celebrating the arrival of three buses which will soon become operational on Service 14; the bus route that serves Stogursey, Nether Stowey, Watchet, Cannington and Bridgwater.

The new buses, which are able to accommodate more passengers due to their increased length, all have low floor access, meaning that wheelchair users and those with buggies will find it easier to travel by bus. Similarly those people who find steps difficult to manage will also be able to get on and off the buses more easily.

All three buses also have fully automatic gearboxes, which makes driving them easier, and in turn means that passengers will be treated to a smoother, more comfortable ride.

Justin Davies says: "These buses are a present from us to the people of Somerset. They represent £240,000 worth of investment from the company and will offer passengers increased comfort and reliability, whilst also producing fewer emissions than there predecessors. I hope that people living in Watchet, Cannington and Bridgwater, and the other towns and villages served by this route, will give the new buses a try. Over the next couple of weeks around 8,000 leaflets will be door dropped to residents living along the route offering them a free journey on route 14.'

The new buses will be fully operational from Wednesday 6 August, running twice an hour between the hours of 0700 and 1800 (Monday to Saturday), and once every two hours on Sundays / Public Holidays. Complete timetable information for this service, and the other services operated by First Bristol, Somerset and Avon can be obtained from the First UK Bus website, www.firstgroup.com/ukbus, from First Travel centres, or by calling Travel Line on 0871 200 22 33.