GCSE students in West Country face new bus ticket choices from 30 August

Students at schools including West Somerset College, Castle School in Taunton and Taunton School received their GCSE results on 20 August, with each reporting strong outcomes [1][2][4]. Pupils across the West Country also received results on the same day, BBC reported [3].

On the same day, First Bus announced changes to tickets across Somerset and the West of England that take effect on 30 August [5]. The operator said it is simplifying its ticket range and integrating Somerset into a single offer [5].

A West of England Plus Day Ticket, priced at £9.50 for adults, will cover travel across Somerset and the wider region including Bristol and Bath [5]. Local day tickets for Bridgwater, Taunton and Yeovil will continue, with a Town Day Ticket at £6.80 [5].

Customers aged 16 to 21 and students will be eligible for a 10% discount on eligible tickets, while children aged 5 to 15 can travel for half the adult fare [5]. Student and young-person discounted tickets will only be available through the First Bus App and not from the driver, the company said [5]. Weekly and monthly tickets will also move to the app or to Tap On, Tap Off fare capping [5].

The standard single fare will rise from £2.40 to £2.60 from 30 August, though the £3 fare cap will remain, First Bus said [5].