THE future of a vital rural bus service between Trowbridge and Bath has been secured following a decision by Bath & North East Somerset Council to provide matched funding.

The council has decided to match the funding for the 94 bus service provided by Wiltshire Council, which met the entire cost of operating the service while a joint funding solution could be found.

Wiltshire Council was forced to meet the entire cost of the service following the decision by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) to withdraw its funding for the cross-boundary subsidised bus route.

Cllr Caroline Thomas, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for highways, said: “In 2022, we took the decision to fund the entire cost of the 94 bus to maintain this important route for residents, especially those living in rural parts of Wiltshire serviced by the route.

“We were able to use some of the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP+) funding allocated to us by Government and although we wouldn’t have been able to fully fund this route indefinitely, our action was instrumental in safeguarding its future while a long-term sustainable funding solution could be found by B&NES Council.

“Maintaining this route in the way we did demonstrates our determination to maintain key rural bus services, while the long-term 50/50 funding solution demonstrates the determination of both councils to work together to support cross-county rural bus services.”

The 94 service operated by Frome-based Libra Travel runs between Bath and Trowbridge via Claverton Down, Monkton Combe, Limpley Stoke, Freshford, Westwood, Wingfield and Trowbridge.

Wiltshire Times: The 94 bus service operated by Libra Travel runs between Trowbridge and Bath and is a vital lifeline for many rural village passengers.The 94 bus service operated by Libra Travel runs between Trowbridge and Bath and is a vital lifeline for many rural village passengers. (Image: John Baker)

It was historically jointly funded on a 50/50 basis by Wiltshire Council and WECA as it crosses the border of Wiltshire and Bath and North East Somerset.

The rural service is used by children going to school in Bath as well as people shopping in Bath and Trowbridge, or visiting the Royal United Hospital in Bath.

Due to a funding dispute between B&NES Council and WECA, which contracts bus services for the Bath and North East Somerset area as the local transport authority, funding was withdrawn in 2022 by WECA.

The 94 bus service was in danger of being axed in a bitter row between B&NES Council and WECA over who should pay for subsidised bus services in the North East Somerset area that saw most rural services lost.

Wiltshire Council was forced to fund 100 per cent of the bus route subsidy to safeguard this important route for residents and allow time for a solution to be found.

B&NES Council has now secured the funding to 50/50 match fund the route.

More than 1,300 people, including many passengers along the 94 bus route, signed a petition launched by Cllr Fiona Gourley, Lib Dem Member Advocate for Rural Communities and a councillor for Bathavon South Ward, which includes Freshford and Monkton Combe.

She said: “I would like to thank everyone who joined me to lobby so hard for this vital service.

“Over 1,300 people signed my rural bus petition, including many along the route of the 94. I have heard from so many people, including elderly residents ringing in tears, desperately worried about the loss of their buses and the negative impact on their lives.”

Cllr Sarah Warren, Bath & North East Somerset Council's deputy leader and cabinet member for climate and sustainable travel said: “The 94 bus service is an extremely important link between Bath and Wiltshire’s county town Trowbridge – and securing its funding for the future is vital.

“This joint effort with Wiltshire Council emphasizes our commitment to accessible transportation and community connectivity. Together, we're ensuring essential services remain in place for our residents and enable more travel choices."