A BUS operator which is cutting two key weekday services in west Dorset said it will offset the impact of the changes by offering an increased weekend service.

The changes come with the rollout of the winter timetable, which will see the Dorchester, Bridport, Axminster axis – the X51 and X52 services – suffer some of the most drastic cuts.

Following the new timetable on September 21, just five services each way will operate on weekdays between Dorchester and Bridport with the last service departing an hour earlier than now.

Only three (westbound) and four (eastbound) will now run on Saturdays, with none on Sundays (as now).

Dorchester Transport Action Group (DTAC) said students will be hit hardest by the change as the only option for those needing to arrive in Exeter by 9am will be to leave Bridport at 5.55am.

First Bus South said it will offer an increased weekend service on the 1/10 route (including serving the Poundbury Estate on a Sunday) which wasn’t in place before.

During the summer, the X51 and X53 operate as commercial services run by First Bus, without any financial support from Dorset Council.

Each winter, First introduces a reduced timetable, as has been their long-standing practice, which is a subsidised service.

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Dorset Council said First approached the council very late in the process, requesting a “significantly higher subsidy” than last winter to continue operating the service.

“Given the sharp increase in cost and limited public funding, we could not agree to the request as presented,” a spokesperson said.

“To avoid losing the service entirely, council officers worked swiftly with First to revise the route and operating pattern.

“These changes reduced the financial burden on the council while helping to secure the long-term viability of the service—not just for winter, but with improvements for the Weymouth area throughout the year.

“It’s important to note that this was not a political decision. Timetables for commercial services are set by the operator.

“The council can only influence them when public funding is involved, and even then, we are constrained by available resources and the operator’s legal obligations, such as driver hours and rest periods.“

The council said it is working with First to consider adjustments to the timetable to better connect with the 7.35am Axminster train to Exeter, and that First has agreed to review the service with the council with the aim of planning next year’s provision earlier and create more “transparently“ ensuring that community input is properly considered.

A spokesperson for First Bus South said: “Following negotiations with Dorset County Council, we have had to make some difficult decisions which has resulted in us reducing some timetables.

“We operate a reduced network during the winter months every year due to reduced demand, and the service changes implemented so far are largely the same as the changes implemented last year.

“While the level of service on the X53 has dipped, we are offering an increased weekend service on the 1/10 route (including serving the Poundbury Estate on a Sunday) which wasn’t in place before.”

First added that any changes it makes to services are kept under review, and any further decisions will be based on additional feedback from the public, consultations with local authorities and our own data.

“Full changes to the timetable will be communicated to customers by the end of the week,” the spokesperson added.