A BUS campaign group is calling for Somerset residents to make a New Year’s resolution to travel on the county’s buses more.

A Somerset Bus Partnership spokesperson said: “Small changes in how we travel can make a big difference to our communities.

“Let us make 2026 a year of greener, cleaner, more connected journeys across Somerset.

“As 2026 begins, we are encouraging everybody to make a simple, positive New Year’s resolution - choose the bus more often.”

The spokesperson said bus travel helped to reduce congestion on the roads, was better for the environment, reduced stress with ‘no parking battles, no traffic frustrations’, and turned everyday travel into time to ‘relax, read, or unwind’.

However, the partnership’s campaign received a mixed reaction from residents, particularly on the stress-relieving claim, with people complaining the resolution should be for buses to run on time.

Many complained of late or cancelled services, resulting in one case in a hospital appointment booked nine months in advance being missed.

The Wivey-Welly Bus User Group, which in early 2025 was successful with a campaign to reintroduce a service between Wiveliscombe and Wellington, has now started a push for an evening bus for Milverton and Wiveliscombe.

The group will be in Wiveliscombe Community Hall from 10 am to 12 noon on Saturday, January 10, for people to go along and share their views.

Members will also be distributing printed timetable for the Nos 25, 26, and 27 services which serve the area as far as Dulverton.

The user group is currently conducting an online survey until the end of January to gauge support for an evening service.

A spokesperson said: “Our aim is to increase local bus use, avoid loss of existing services, and campaign for better bus links between the town and village communities in this area.”