The digital service enables residents to book transport in advance for journeys in less well-connected areas and has seen over 10,000 trips taken since its launch in May last year.

As of this year, the Slinky service now provides transport in areas including Burnham-On-Sea, Highbridge, Brean, Berrow, Bleadon, Mark and Wedmore, according to Burnham-On-Sea.com.

To support the expanded service, the council has proposed plans to introduce six new accessible diesel-powered minibuses to its fleet, as well as trialling one electric minibus.

The accessible minibuses will have 16 seats and serve Taunton and Sedgemoor areas, while the electric vehicle will deliver bus services in Frome.

In a decision report on the procurement of the vehicles, Lee Jones, the council’s service manager for transport operations, said: ‘The new minibuses are configured to enable seats to be folded up when the space is required for wheelchair passengers. Using vehicles of this configuration enables the team to respond to wheelchair bookings in the same way as any other booking taken up to one hour before travel.’

He added: ‘The arrival of these seven new vehicles will enhance service delivery due to time off-road for repairs and maintenance.’

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