174 bus “new” timetable adjusted (again) after student bus user raises concern

A young 174 bus user raised concerns with their parent about the 174 Shepton to Wells timetable changes — the parent then contacted me to report the plan would see students arriving in Wells a full hour before school and 20 minutes before the gates open.

I raised the issue with Somerset Council, who negotiated with First West of England. The outcome: the morning journey due to start 06:52 from Stratton-on-the-Fosse will now run 20 minutes later, leaving Shepton Mallet at 07:31 (previously 07:35) and arriving at Wells Bus Station at 08:00 — effectively preserving the current arrival time for students.

As a commercial service operating without Somerset Council funding, the operator makes the final decision; students can still reach Wells Blue School on the 174, but some will face a longer school day — though with this tweak to the post‑April timetable they will no longer arrive before the school gates open.

This episode underlines the need for meaningful consultation by Bus Companies with all stakeholders (passengers), including schools, young people and parents, local councillors, MPs and our brilliant Somerset bus user groups to avoid unintended impacts on families.