A NORTH Somerset bus route frequently used by schoolchildren is due to end next month.

Gordano's 59 bus service will end on March 31, just before the Easter Holidays.

Once children return to Gordano School in April, the X4 bus will provide essential transport, along with a safe walking route to the Sheepway Station Road where a return journey on X5 has now been provided to match school day start and finish times.

Thanks to funding from North Somerset Council's Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), which is available until March 2025, the X4 now runs every 20 minutes during the day. This is up from 30.

The BSIP is funded by the Department for Transport and was designed to make the network more convenient for passengers, with better co-ordinated services.

It is also thought that by improving the region's bus services, residents will utilise public transport more and reduce their car usage. This will help make North Somerset a greener place to live, work and travel.

North Somerset Council hopes that, by not renewing the expiring contract for the 59 bus service, it can help support other vital bus routes.

This includes the X10 route which connects residents with vital services such as Southmead Hospital. The X10 is due to be taken over by Transpora from April 8.

Cllr Hannah Young, executive member for Highways and Transport at North Somerset Council, said: “The X4 and X5 bus services better connect Gordano School to the surrounding areas as pupils can use the services outside of typical pick up and drop off times.

"The council works closely with bus service operators to ensure local communities can be better connected by sustainable transport options.  

"Higher frequency services, coupled with the extension of the government's £2 fare offer, makes the bus a cost-effective alternative to the car to get to school - especially useful during current economic challenges."

In April and September every year, commercial operators work with the council to review existing bus routes. This helps the council to identify any gaps in the network and react accordingly.