TALKS are being requested over the future of an open top bus service on Exmoor which this year ran with closed top buses due to overhanging hanging trees.

The danger from branches potentially hitting passengers on the top deck of the Exmoor Explorer bus from Minehead to Ilfracombe meant First Bus South operated with roofed vehicles for the whole of the summer season.

Somerset and Devon county councils, which between them gave a £60,000 subsidy to keep the bus running this season, said they had been notified too late in the year to be able to cut back the low hanging tree branches on the route.

The result was a significant fall in people using the bus, and communities such as Porlock saw visitor numbers plunge, with a knock-on effect on local businesses.

A First Bus South spokesperson told the Free Press: “Our season has now ended, however we encountered a few challenges over the summer regarding the route.

“Despite us engaging with local authorities at an early stage regarding tree cutting, the timescales provided to us were late September/October, after the season had finished.

“Passenger safety is always our number one priority, so to maintain that we completed the summer season with closed top vehicles as we were unable to safely operate open top vehicles.

“This contributed to lower passenger numbers during the season compared to previous years.”

The Explorer, previously named Exmoor Coaster, was famed for offering passengers spectacular views from its open top deck of the stunning West Somerset coastline.

The spokesperson said: “We remain committed to working with Devon and Somerset local authorities to review options for summer 2026.

“To make this viable, we would welcome holding planning conversations even earlier than this year to ensure any tree issues are resolved before the start of the season.”