First West of England has announced it has taken the decision to discontinue the discover D3 service between Bath and Melksham via Box and Atworth after service on Saturday 4th April.
According to the company, the service has failed to cover its own costs for some time and, despite a significant increase in usage following the introduction of the discover brand two years ago, it is still loss making.
The evening and Sunday extension of the D3 route beyond Melksham to Devizes, Easterton and Urchfont, which is operated under contract to Wiltshire Council, will also no longer be operated by First from the same date.
James Freeman, managing director of First West of England said, “We are sorry to withdraw this service which has been operated continuously for decades.
“These days there is a second operator on this route and the economic reality is there is not enough business for both the X67 operated by Faresaver and our own D3. Sadly, something had to give.”
First West of England staff and buses will be redeployed. Customers with season tickets that expire after 5th April will be entitled to a full refund of the unexpired part of their tickets.
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