BUS operator First Group has been accused of going back on its word to introduce improvements on its No 28 route between Minehead and Taunton.

Conservative General Election candidate Ian Liddell-Grainger, who was the West Somerset MP, said despite assurances given three months ago, he was still receiving complaints from passengers.

Mr Liddell-Grainger said he wanted to know when he could expect to see ‘action rather than just words’.

He said passengers claimed buses frequently broke down, were late, or never appeared at all, while on Mondays and Fridays they were often filled with Butlin’s visitors, leaving no room for local people.

Earlier this year the bus was threatened with being withdrawn because of Somerset Council’s cash crisis, but was reprieved with a reduced frequency.

Mr Liddell-Grainger said little appeared to have improved as he was still hearing ‘the same old complaints about overcrowding’.

One recent journey saw every seat taken plus 16 people standing, which he said could not be safe when one considered the nature and length of the road between Taunton and Minehead.

Mr Liddell-Grainger said: “And people are telling me the buses are still running late, or sometimes not at all.

“(They) first told me these problems were going to be sorted and we were to expect a fleet of new electric vehicles to start running soon.

“There are probably statistically fewer problems than there used to be, but that is only down to the fact that with a less frequent service there are commensurately fewer occasions when buses fail to arrive or break down.

“Either way, bus users in West Somerset are still fed up with being treated like this and are as anxious as I am to learn when First is going to sort out the problems rather than just talking about doing so.”

A Buses of Somerset spokesperson said: “We are sorry to hear about customer complaints and we are taking action to address local people’s concerns.

“As a direct result of customer feedback we are adding additional journeys on the 28 and X28 from June 3.

“These extra journeys will help to ease capacity issues, and build on changes introduced in April, including the additional express services to Butlins.

“We continue to engage with the council, bus groups and local community on how we can continue to improve service further.”

The spokesperson said road congestion, roadworks, and accidents were the biggest challenges which could cause short notice changes to the timetable.

They said: “We are working extremely closely with Somerset Council to ensure we are made aware of these issues in order that we can make changes and advise our customers as soon as possible.”

Funding for the electric buses was only announced two months ago and brand new buses would need to be built from scratch, while before their arrival there would need to be major construction in the firm’s Taunton depot to add the necessary electric infrastructure and chargers for them to start operating in 2025.