Exciting news for Winterbourne Valley residents! Thanks to the relentless efforts of the Dorchester Transport Action Group, a trial bus service is now available for your convenience.
Les Scarth, a local Martinstown Resident and member of Dorchester Transport Action Group, spearheaded the campaign. He explains, “First Bus has agreed to a trial diversion of their X51 bus service from Weymouth to Axminster so that it will go through Martinstown and Winterbourne Steepleton. At the moment it just goes via Dorchester, Bridport and Lyme Regis”.
There is a trial diversion happening this summer from May 12th to September. First Bus will be testing it out to see if it's worth keeping permanently. If you want to see this service stick around, make sure to hop on board and spread the word to all the summer visitors.
Stewart Palmer, Chair of Dorchester Transport Action Group, said “This is a great opportunity for local residents but everyone needs to realise that it is a ‘use it or lose it’ moment. The service frequency will help people go into Dorchester or Bridport for shopping trips as well as providing an excellent means of having a cheap day out to Weymouth, Lyme Regis or Axminster. With the costs of town centre parking and fuel and with the maximum single fare being capped at £2, the service will be a great benefit for everyone”.
Members of Dorchester Transport Action Group will shortly be delivering promotional leaflets to everyone living along the trial diversion route.
Les added, “It’s great that First Bus has agreed to this trial, all credit to them! So we want to help them by promoting the service. We appreciate that it is a commercial service and they are taking the commercial risk here”.
Experience the convenience of the new trial service operating 7 days a week with frequent two-hourly trips throughout the day. Enhance your work, leisure, and social activities while reducing congestion and carbon emissions in our towns. Your support is crucial for the longevity of this service. Hop on board and be part of the change!
For more information about the Dorchester Transport Action Group visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/475488601041536/permalink/895270249063367/
This news story has been produced by Chesil Radio's News Team, for more information please visit: https://www.chesilradio.com