TRANSPORT Action Groups (TAGs) were left disappointed that a solution could not be found by Dorset Council in light of major cuts to bus services in the west of the county.

Two key weekday services, the X51 and X53, are being reduced following the introduction of the winter timetable.

The Dorchester, Bridport, Axminster axis will suffer some of the most drastic cuts, as following the rollout of 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).

Representatives from the Weymouth, Dorchester and Western Area (Bridport/Lyme Regis) TAGs met with Dorset Council on Monday (September 15) to discuss the changes and express their “very serious concerns” about the reductions in key bus services.

The group said they walked away from the meeting feeling “disappointed” as no specific actions were agreed by Dorset Council to correct the “serious deficiencies” in the new timetable.

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TAGs also expressed their concern over the complete lack of consultation on these proposals with insufficient time to provide meaningful feedback.

Stewart Palmer, chair of Dorchester TAG, said “The TAG view is that these changes are bad for bus users and will lead to a further decline in bus use on these two key routes linking Weymouth and Dorchester with Bridport, Lyme Regis and Axminster.

“These proposals are also at variance with the stated policies of Dorset Council to promote bus travel and improve bus services”.

The group said the changes would see a lack of connections at Axminster Station affecting people going to school, college and work, the four hour 15 minute gap in the afternoon service Monday to Friday from Dorchester to Bridport, the elimination of any meaningful service between Bridport and Dorchester on Saturdays and later first and earlier last buses on both routes.

Chair of the meeting, Dorset Council’s councillor Jon Andrews reportedly agreed to examine the issues the TAGs raised with First Group as a matter of urgency and to attempt to negotiate a better outcome for residents and visitors.

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.

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.

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.