Somerset Council has awarded a new contract for its number 1 bus service between Yeovil and Shepton Mallet.

Following concerns about the financial viability of the route the current operator, South West Coaches handed in their notice. An agreement which followed a tendering process with South West Coaches will offer a new revised version of the service from 15 April 2024. 

Somerset Council has made some changes to the route including focusing on a two-hour daytime frequency between the towns as well as a Saturday service which provides three journeys in each direction. Connections are maintained for students at Castle Cary for onward travel to and from Strode College.

School children who were using some of the variations from the main route will now be served through amendments to the school contract network. All parents of entitled school children will be notified by Somerset Council of their new travel arrangements.