Summer timetables announced for Dorset bus routes

First Bus in Dorset has announced network changes for its services in Dorset. The changes, which are part of a twice-yearly network review, come into force on Sunday 25 May.

As well minor changes to help reliability and punctuality in summer season traffic, the changes include a new service operating between Lulworth Cove, Wool Station and tourist attractions at Bovington.

The Summer timetable changes have been created in consultation with Dorset Council, using feedback from local passenger user groups, as well as First Bus in Dorset’s drivers.

The X52 will also resume for the summer season using open top buses. The buses will operate every two hours Monday to Saturday, providing a co-ordinated hourly service between Weymouth and Bridport with route X53.

Further changes include:

• Route 1 (Weymouth – Portland) – Timetables revised to account for summer season traffic. On Friday and Saturday nights, later journeys will operate from Weymouth with the last bus now at 1.15am. No change to frequencies.
• Route 2 (Weymouth – Littlesea) – Frequencies will be increased with buses operating up to every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday and up to every 20 minutes on Sundays. Buses will now pick up inside the Weymouth P&R site.
• Route 4 (Weymouth – Preston) – Frequencies will be increased with buses operating up to every 20 minutes daily. Last buses from Weymouth will be later in the evening with the last trip at 9.15pm Monday to Saturday and 7.05pm on Sundays.
• Route 8 (Weymouth – Chickerell) – Timetables revised to account for summer season traffic with later evening journeys from Weymouth. Last trips will depart at 9.30pm Monday to Friday, 10.15pm on Saturdays and 6.20pm on Sundays
• Route 10 (Weymouth – Dorchester – Poundbury) – Timetables revised to account for summer season traffic. On Friday and Saturday nights, later journeys will operate from Weymouth with the last bus now at 1.05am. No change to frequencies.
• Route 11 (Weymouth – Portland Bill Open Top) – The service will resume for the summer season. Buses will operate every 2 hours daily (hourly during School Summer Holidays).
• Route X51 (Weymouth – Dorchester – Bridport – Axminster) – Timetables revised to account for summer season traffic, with no change to frequencies. Last buses will be later and a 2-hourly service will operate on Sundays during the summer
• Route X52 (Weymouth – Abbotsbury – Bridport Open Top) – The service will resume for the summer season using open top buses. Buses will operate every 2 hours Monday to Saturday, providing a co-ordinated hourly service between Weymouth and Bridport with route X53.
• Route X53 (Weymouth – Bridport – Axminster) – Timetables revised to account for summer season traffic, with no change to frequencies Monday to Saturday. Last buses will be later and a 2-hourly service will operate on Sundays.
• Route X54 (Weymouth – Wareham – Swanage) – During the summer season, buses on route X54 will extend to Swanage with buses operating every day of the week, every 2 hours. For Bovington Tank Museum and Monkey World, please connect with route 55 (details below) at Lulworth or Wool Station.
• Route 55 (Lulworth – Wool – Bovington Tank Museum & Monkey World) – New service operating between Lulworth Cove, Wool Station and tourist attractions at Bovington. Buses will operate hourly every day of the week. Passengers to/from Weymouth and connect to route X54 at Lulworth or Wool Station.
• Buses on route 12 (Weymouth – Littlesea Holiday Park) will no longer serve Weymouth Rail Station Forecourt. Passengers wishing to board at Weymouth Rail Station can do so directly across the road at the King Street bus stop. Buses will continue to operate daily every 30 minutes during all School Holidays and hourly during term times.

Full timetable details will be available on the First Bus in Dorset website in the coming weeks, and passenger are advised to check details before travelling ahead of the new services coming into effect.

Terrance James, Head of Network for First Bus in Dorset, said: “We’re delighted to introduce a new service operating between Lulworth Cove, Wool Station and Bovington. All changes have been carefully designed using passenger feedback and input from our drivers to bring improvements and best serve local people.”