A CAMPAIGN group looking to encourage more people to use local bus services has been supported by Wellington Town Council.

The Wellington Bus User Group, of the Somerset Bus Partnership organisation, asked members of the council’s finance committee on April 17 for a grant of £420 to help with the printing of bus timetables and event costs.

A spokesman for the group said: “We want to run two publicity events in June and September to encourage people who don’t use buses to start using them.

“Buses are a vital part of the transport network – especially for people who cannot drive; so we need to make sure the bus companies in Wellington are viable.”

Cllr Justin Cole said he felt strongly that this work being instigated by the Somerset Bus Partnership was the responsibility of the actual bus companies.

“I just don’t understand this,” he said. “Surely this is the responsibility of the bus companies rather than the people of Wellington?”

The Mayor, Cllr Marcus Barr, said: “I do tend to agree with Cllr Cole.”

But Cllr John Thorne said: “If we left it to the bus companies we wouldn’t have any buses. We need this group to encourage more people to use buses.

“If we are going to have bus companies working in Wellington we need to do everything we can to make people aware of the buses that are available. The bus companies won’t do it.”

Cllr Mike McGuffie said that supporting the promotion of buses in Wellington would fall in-line with the council’s policy of climate change and getting people to use public transport.

And Cllr Mark Lithgow added: “I think £420 is a small price to pay for this.”

Councillors agreed to support the grant application.

An almost identical discussion about whether council taxpayers’ money should be spent on something which is, effectively, the marketing for commercial bus companies was discussed recently at Yeovil Town Council where the Somerset Bus Partnership had asked for a grant for similar objectives. Councillors in Yeovil also voted to support the bus campaigners despite having reservations about the actual bus companies.