Chris Loder, the MP for West Dorset, celebrated the launch of our new Dorchester ‘E’ PlusBus – a service which connects villages in the local area with Dorchester every other Wednesday. The local MP was on the inaugural bus service from Dorchester to Ansty along with many local residents.
Speaking about the new service, Mr Loder said: “This new service offers a lifeline for residents of all ages. It is just one of many that Dorset Community Transport operates in West Dorset. I fully support this new service and I look forward to ensuring it is a success for local residents.”
The new service came about through the efforts of local Parish Councils, who identified an unmet transport need and came together to work with Dorset Community Transport. The service itself is part-funded by Dorset Council’s Community Transport start-up grant fund.
“These communities have been without a bus service for over five years, so there was a real unmet need” said Tim Christian, General Manager at Dorset Community Transport. “The combined efforts of Parish Councils, Dorset Council and the team here at Dorset Community Transport is a brilliant example of a local community coming together to make a change for the better.”
About the service
The Dorchester ‘E’ PlusBus runs fortnightly on Wednesdays, picking passengers up at their door. It starts at Winterborne Stickland at 09:30 then picks up in Milton Abbas, Hilton, Ansty, Melcombe Bingham, Cheselbourne and Dewlish, then drops passengers off in Dorchester. The return journey departs from Trinity Street at 13:00.
Launched the previous week is the Blandford ‘E’ service, which runs fortnightly on Thursdays. It starts at Dewlish at 09:30 then picks up in Cheselbourne, Melcombe Bingham, Ansty, Hilton, Milton Abbas and Winterborne Stickland, then drops passengers off in Blandford. The return journey departs at 13:00 from the town centre (and then from local supermarkets by request).
The return fare is £7 (reviewed annually) & National bus passes are accepted.
To use the service, you’ll need to register first. It’s free to join and all you need to do is call us on 01258 287 987 between 09:30 and 14:30 on weekdays to get things started. To book your place for a particular trip, simply call or email us. Once registered, you can book up to one month in advance but no later than 14:30 on the previous working day.
You can find out more about our PlusBus services in Dorset here.
