BUS services across South Somerset could be reduced with some cut entirely under county council proposals.

Somerset County Council is urging residents to have their say on the proposals in a consultation.

It says cuts from central government to run local services leave it no option but to review services.

The Donyatt to Crewkerne number 9 service the council operates would be withdrawn and replaced with Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) – known as the Slinky service.

The Bishopswood to Ilminster 608 service, which runs on a Thursday would be withdrawn and replaced with DRT.

The council is also proposing to withdraw subsidised funding for the Ilminster to Martock area DRT which links to N10 on Saturdays, and slashing 50% of the funding for the Chard to Yeovil number 99 service.

A spokesperson said the council is looking to improve efficiency and value for money and that changes to some routes had been proposed due to low passenger use or other services available.

The spokesperson added: “Our consultation clearly states that where we are proposing to withdraw our Saturday services, the weekday service will remain unchanged.

“We acknowledge that there is some significant use of the 99 on Saturdays, which is why we are proposing to continue with 50% of our funding.

“The low use category relates to bus services which we are proposing to convert to Demand Responsive Transport services, as these are all, by their very nature, poorly used services.

These include the 9 and 608. Bus users have until December 29 to have their say on the proposals, which, if approved, would come into effect from May 2015.

Cllr Harvey Siggs, cabinet member for Highways and Transport, said: “The ongoing and harsh reality we face as a county council is that our central Government funding to run local services is being reduced, which leaves us no option but to review all our services.

“These plans are about making our supported bus services more effective, particularly where there are currently low levels of passenger use.

“We need as many people as possible who use these bus services to come forward and have their say before the consultation closes on Monday, December 29.”

The consultation can be completed online at somerset.gov.uk/bussurvey or to obtain a hard copy call 0845 345-9155.