Dorset Council has confirmed a twelve-million-pound package to strengthen bus services between 2026/27 and 2028/29, building on last week’s separate announcement that more than seven point eight million pounds has been awarded to BCP Council for upgrades across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
The Dorset funding includes six point eight million pounds in revenue for targeted service improvements and five point two million pounds for new infrastructure, with capital support continuing into 2029/30. The council plans to prioritise locations where changes will have the greatest impact, including restoring some Saturday services, improving frequencies on the busiest routes and upgrading stops with better real-time information.
Dorset Council says the support will make a practical difference to people who rely on buses for essential journeys, but it adds that the county’s allocation is significantly lower than that of neighbouring rural areas. The council states that the level of funding restricts its ability to deliver consistent hourly routes or full Saturday timetables across the whole network.
Councillor Jon Andrews said the updates would address several issues raised by residents, but he noted the need for a fairer long-term share. He said the council will continue pressing for funding that better matches Dorset’s rural geography and travel needs.
BCP Council’s separate seven-point-eight-million-pound award is intended to make buses faster, cheaper and more reliable for people travelling across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Both councils will now work with operators to finalise delivery plans, with schedules and infrastructure works to be published once confirmed.
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