CHARD North’s county councillor has warned residents they must “use it or lose it” for the town’s 99 bus service.

Controversial changes to Chard’s 99 bus route to Taunton will take force next week, with the old provider Stagecoach standing down from the service.

Buses of Somerset will take over the route on October 31 providing a reduced service between the town and Taunton via Buckland St Mary.

Nigel Pearson, the county councillor for Chard North, has been campaigning to try and get the town the best service possible.

He said: “The people of Chard need to be aware that if they don’t use that bus then it is going to go the same way as the Webber bus replacement service.”

Earlier this week, Somerset County Council (SCC) announced that temporary support for three former Webberbus routes in the Sedgemoor area, including Bridgwater and Burnham-on-Sea, is unlikely to be extended when it runs out in December.

The county council spends around £1.6m subsidising bus services across the county, but the huge pressure on all its budgets means it cannot afford to continue subsidising these routes.

Cllr Pearson added: “It is important to understand that the county council only has a statutory responsibility to supply a bus service for students and school children going to school or college.

“Any other service that is supplied is at the discretion of the bus company.

“The current 99 bus service offered by Stagecoach was not economically viable, as it used three buses on this route whereas the new service from Buses of Somerset will use only one.

“The number of buses from Chard to Taunton in the morning rush hour remains the same.

“A two hour off peak service will be run throughout the day. In the evening a 99 bus will depart from Taunton at 5.10pm with a 30 bus leaving at 5.10pm and 6.10pm.

“Tickets for the 99 and 30 buses can be used on either service.

“Those going to the hospital will need to go into the bus station and get the park and ride bus which runs every 12 minutes.

“SCC will have an inspector on the service during the first week to see if any changes can be made to improve the service within the limited budget available.

“I would like to thank all those who have contacted me about this issue, your input has helped to shape the 99 bus service and prevent even deeper cuts to this service.”