COMMUTERS who use Keynsham railway station are being encouraged to try the WESTlink minibus service to make the final leg of their journey from the station to their home.
WESTlink is the West of England’s shared bookable minibus service.
A new dedicated space will allow WESTlink minibuses to wait in the Keynsham station car park, responding to public feedback.
From Monday November 27, a minibus will leave the car park each weekday evening at 5.45pm. It is designed to meet passengers arriving at 5.35pm (from Bristol Temple Meads) and at 5.38pm (from Bath).
The 12-seater minibus will then drop off passengers at the nearest bus stop to their home in the Keynsham and Saltford areas.
To book, passengers should download the WESTlink app from the App Store or GooglePlay, register and enter the pick-up point of Keynsham station and their desired drop-off point. A single adult journey costs £2. Journeys can be booked up to 24 hours in advance.
An estimated 75 people arrive daily at Keynsham station between 5.35pm and 5.38pm. Organisers say that if passengers opt to take the WESTlink home, this would significantly help cut congestion and pollution.
The trial will take place for a month. If successful, it is hoped to introduce more waiting WESTlink minibuses to meet other busy commuter trains, not just at Keynsham but at other stations.
Passengers are still able to book WESTlink minibuses at other times and from other places as usual.
Metro Mayor Dan Norris said: “We know there are times when lots of people get off the train together – so it makes good sense to try and link up people’s onward journeys home. This arrangement is convenient, helps the planet, and is great value too.
“So if you’re arriving at Keynsham on one of these two particular trains, why not give WESTlink a go?”
Pictured, Dan Norris at Keynsham station with a WESTlink minibus
Minibus service for Keynsham rail passengers
