Dorset Council has announced a new delivery plan to improve the county’s bus services and infrastructure as part of its ongoing Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), backed by £3.3 million in government funding.
Approved on 20 March, the plan outlines projects for the 2025/26 financial year, including increased service frequencies in urban areas, trialling a new electric community minibus, and upgrades to real-time information displays and bus stops.
Key service enhancements focus on:
- Weymouth: More frequent services on routes 2 and 10, improving access to key areas including Portland and Mount Pleasant Park and Ride.
- Dorchester & Bridport: Improved weekend services.
- Bournemouth – Wimborne corridor: Continued enhanced provision in partnership with BCP Council.
For rural North Dorset, the headline change is the reinstatement of Saturday services on three routes:
- CR2 (Gillingham – Shaftesbury)
- CR3 (Gillingham – Sturminster Newton)
- CR6 (Bridport – Yeovil)
Dorset Council says these changes reflect public feedback from its Local Transport Plan engagement, where better public transport was ranked the top priority, particularly among rural communities.
Cllr Jon Andrews, Cabinet Member for Place Services, said:
“These projects are an exciting step forward in delivering more accessible, reliable and sustainable public transport for Dorset residents and visitors alike.”
However, some local campaigners have voiced concern over the limited nature of the rural improvements, particularly the lack of weekday provision for more isolated communities. Dorset Council has acknowledged funding constraints and is continuing to lobby for a fairer allocation to support further development of the bus network.
You can read more about the full BSIP plan on Dorset Council’s website.
