Match funding for cross-boundary bus route 94 secured following Wiltshire Council's decision to temporarily fund the entire route to maintain service

In 2022, following the decision by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) to withdraw its funding for the cross-boundary subsidised bus route 94, Wiltshire Council decided to meet the entire cost of operating the service while a joint funding solution could be found.

Bus route 94 was historically jointly funded on a 50/50 basis by Wiltshire Council and WECA as it crosses the border of Wiltshire and Bath and North East Somerset. The service runs between Bath and Trowbridge via Claverton Down, Monkton Combe, Limpley Stoke, Freshford, Westwood, Wingfield and Trowbridge.

Due to a funding dispute between B&NES Council and WECA, who contracts bus services for the Bath and North East Somerset area as the local transport authority, funding was withdrawn in 2022 by WECA and Wiltshire Council stepped up to fund 100% of the bus route subsidy to safeguard this important route for residents and allow time for a solution to be found. B&NES Council has now secured the funding to 50/50 match fund the route.

Cllr Caroline Thomas, Cabinet Member for Highways, said: "In 2022, we took the decision to fund the entire cost of the 94 bus to maintain this important route for residents, especially those living in rural parts of Wiltshire serviced by the route. We were able to use some of the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP+) funding allocated to us by Government and although we wouldn't have been able to fully fund this route indefinitely, our action was instrumental in safeguarding its future while a long-term sustainable funding solution could be found by B&NES Council.

"Maintaining this route in the way we did demonstrates our determination to maintain key rural bus services, while the long-term 50/50 funding solution demonstrates the determination of both councils to work together to support cross-county rural bus services."