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Community groups across North Somerset can apply for a share of a £2m fund, called WESTlocal, as part of the Bus Service Improvement Plan.
A wide range of groups can apply, including community groups, schools, faith groups, and town and parish councils.
Transport can be anything from buses with regular fixed routes and timetables to flexible minibus services, helping communities to travel to key locations such as places of employment, supermarkets, shopping centres, local towns and transport interchanges.
Put forward proposals for very local individual ideas or work together with others as part of a wider group submission.
You could set up an independent community transport operation or work with an established bus or community transport operator.
Funding will last until March 2026 only so is targeted at schemes that have the highest chance of long-term financial viability.
No prior knowledge of running a transport scheme is needed. Just submit an initial expression of interest form through the website and a member of the team will talk you through the next stages.
The deadline to apply is the end of April but get in touch as soon as possible to discuss initial ideas.
Help is available at every step of the way, including through partners such as the Community Transport Association.
Successful ideas will be designed locally with clear involvement from the wider community (beyond current transport providers).
It’s hoped that local groups will take this opportunity to fill in the public transport gaps in their area.
As part of the Bus Service Improvement Plan, funding through the Department for Transport, we’re working with the West of England Combined Authority to encourage everyone to ‘walk or wheel’ where possible, helping to reach a carbon-neutral goal by 2030.
When that’s not possible, we want bus travel to be the first choice over car usage, helping to ease traffic congestion and creating a greener way to travel.
Have your say on bus improvement plans
Residents, community groups and businesses in North Somerset are invited to help shape proposals for improved bus routes.
- Works to three roundabouts on Clevedon’s ring road – Tickenham Road, Ettlingen Way and Southern Way – aim to make bus travel faster, more reliable and more sustainable, and improve infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists. See the proposals on our website and have your say until 11.59pm on Thursday 29 February.
- Concept designs for infrastructure changes to the A38 Lime Kiln roundabout near Bristol can now be viewed and commented on. Have your say on our website before 11.59pm on Friday 22 March.
- Shape plans for upgrading the Rownham Hill junction on the A369. Read more about the scheme on our website and have your say before 11.59pm on Friday 22 March.