ELDERLY people in Somerset are “expressing despair” at being trapped in their communities by cuts to bus services, campaigners said in advance of a protest in Somerset on Saturday.

Cuts have been announced by operator First Bus as it puts profits above the provision of services to customers.

Transport union RMT has condemned the cuts and is supporting Saturday’s protest.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “These bus cuts are a disgrace and have come about as a direct result of bus deregulation and privatisation.

“Services are run on a purely commercial basis by private operators, with routes deemed non-profitable, subject to cuts, such as Yeovil.”

He called for bus services to be run by municipal bus companies funded with government cash through local councils.

“We stand in solidarity with the campaigners in Yeovil protesting against these bus route cuts,” he said.

Campaign group Somerset Bus Partnership will rally at 11am at The Borough bus stop, Yeovil.