U-turn after Dorset X51 and X53 bus timetable cuts criticised

The proposed timetable meant fewer would have run between Bridport and Dorchester every manner on weekdays, with the final service departing an hour sooner than beforehand.

Following its publication earlier this month, Conservative Beaminster councillor Craig Monks known as for the operator and council to “reconsider”.

“Public transport is a lifeline for many in rural communities and withdrawing these services risks increasing isolation and limiting opportunities,” he mentioned.

Members of the West Dorset Bus Facebook group known as the schedule “unprecedented”.

“For years, people living in rural Dorset have been robbed of effective, reliable public transportation,” mentioned one consumer.

Another mentioned the “unacceptable” cuts would “leave children stranded”.

In an announcement on Friday, Lib Dem-run Dorset Council, which subsidises the companies, mentioned the earlier winter timetable could be reinstated “in response to concerns raised by local residents”.

It added: “Both organisations have reviewed service levels and agreed arrangements that restore the core winter timetable residents rely on.

“We acknowledge issues about session and can plan earlier and extra brazenly forward of subsequent yr’s timetable, persevering with to observe reliability and connections throughout the hall.”

Under the reinstated timetable, services stopping for Dorset County Hospital would be maintained.

From Monday, an afternoon journey would run to ensure students from The Thomas Hardye School can get home to Bridport while the full timetable is finalised.

The council also said it was working on options to improve the bus connection with the 07:35 Axminster train to Exeter.

The begin date for the total reinstated timetable is because of be introduced shortly.