THE campaign to save rural bus services in West Somerset gathered pace this week as news of another route to be axed was revealed.

Watchet Town Council threw its weight behind calls for First bus company to reinstate evening journeys between Minehead and Taunton at a meeting on Monday.

But councillors also heard that the twice weekly 564 service between Luxborough and Minehead would not run after the end of September.

The route was taken over by Quantock Motor Services just a year ago but managing director Stephen Morris told the News-Trader it was simply not commercially viable.

Previous operator WebberBus ceased operating it when Somerset County Council withdrew the subsidy.

"We thought we could run it between our schools services but it is simply losing too much money," said Mr Morris.

In addition to the loss of subsidy, the service has also been hit by the central Government reduction given for bus pass holders.

"The money we get per passenger has been cut from 70p in £1 to just 49p," said Mr Morris.

"Passenger numbers have dwindled on the 564 service to about 11 and none of those are fare-paying - they all have passes.

"The sums just don't add up and we cannot continue."

Mr Morris said the company had gone back to the county council to ask for financial help but the request had been declined.

Watchet Town Council, meanwhile, has now joined West Somerset Council, Williton Parish Council and many others in calling on First bus company to reconsider its decision to no longer run buses from Minehead to Taunton after 6.40pm during the week, with return journeys from Taunton stopping at 8pm.Cllr Peter Murphy, a town and district councillor who has led the condemnation of the cutbacks, said it would increase isolation for communities such as Watchet and increase the reliance on cars.

Cllr Dave Westcott said it was important to realise the impact the loss of subsidies was having on rural services.

The Minehead to Taunton route is not subsidised because it is considered commercially viable.

"It pays during the day but without a subsidy it does not pay during the evening,' he said.

"The county council or the Government should have pressure put on them to increase subsidies."