Just over £3.8 million has been allocated to Dorset Council to support, improve and protect crucial bus services, although it’s much less money than other English regions will get.
The UK Government announced on Monday 18th November 2024 that it’s providing new funding to boost bus services with £83 million to be spent across the South West.
The Purbeck Breezer buses are a vital link to get from Swanage to Wareham or Poole but the frequency and hours are limited
Funding based on need
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council is to get just over £6 million, while Devon County Council has been allocated just over £11.6 million, and Cornwall Council will receive around £10.5 million.
Elsewhere in England, some rural county councils will receive significantly more money including Lancashire (£27 million), Kent (£23 million), Essex (£17 million) and Norfolk (£15 million).
In the past, councils had to compete for bus service funding and under that system, Dorset Council was unsuccessful and received nothing. Now, the way grants are awarded has changed.
In its news release, the Department for Transport said that the funding was allocated based on the needs of the area, the levels of deprivation and size of the population. It said:
“In recent years, services have consistently suffered from complicated and inconsistent funding which have ultimately impacted the passenger.
“Today’s reformed funding settlement marks a departure from that approach with a simplified commitment from the government, giving bus providers the certainty they have long been calling for.”
Attempts to introduce a town bus service in Swanage have stalled
No Swanage town bus
In Swanage there is no local bus route around the town and residents have to rely on the Purbeck Breezers which link Swanage to other towns like Wareham and Poole.
A local summer service between Durlston and North Swanage last operated in 2022 and then for only six weeks.
This means that now the only way to get from the town centre to Swanage Community Hospital or Durlston Country Park is to drive or walk up the steep hill which isn’t possible for everyone.
There’s only two bus routes out of Swanage and one of them is via the Sandbanks Ferry
“Better and more joined up public transport”
Purbeck Transport Action Group was formed to highlight the need for better public transport in Purbeck and has campaigned for many years to reverse the deterioration of the services.
A representative for Purbeck Transport Action Group said:
“We are pleased to see the announcement of over £3.8 million investment into the Dorset Council area for improvements to bus services, including rural areas.
“We sincerely hope after years of lobbying for better and more joined up public transport options for Purbeck that we will directly benefit from this investment.
“We want to see later timetabled bus services over winter between Purbeck and the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council area, especially to support our young people. We also want to see services to rural communities and local attractions that are not serviced at the moment.”
A community shuttle bus has been introduced between Wareham station and RSPB Arne to promote more sustainable travel but there’s potential to extend the route
More evening and weekend services
It is not yet clear how Dorset Council will allocate the funding but it has drawn up a Dorset Bus Service Improvement Plan 2024, which includes proposals to increase the frequency of buses Monday to Friday during the day and to provide more evening and weekend services.
The plan also looks to create a zero emission bus fleet by 2035 and to introduce better value fares including a young persons bus ticket for 16 to 25 year olds.
There’s also a proposal to give buses priority on Ferry Road in Studland, so it can board the Sandbanks Ferry without being delayed at busy times. It says a scheme would involve the creation of bus cages as refuge areas, and the relocation of on-street parking.
Dorset Council’s cabinet member for place services, councillor Jon Andrews said:
“Dorset Council welcomes this additional funding from central government that will help deliver our Bus Service Improvement Plan.
“We will continue to work closely with our local bus operators, exploring new ways to provide a bus network that links with other forms of transport to provide all Dorset residents and visitors opportunities to access work, education, training, health services, and leisure opportunities within Dorset and neighbouring council areas.”
The extension of the flat fare price cap is welcomed by Swanage passengers even though it will increase from £2 to £3 in 2025
Buses Bill and fare cap
In addition to the new money announced, the government will introduce a Buses Bill to give local councils greater control over bus services.
It has also extended the fare cap, meaning that it will be £2 flat rate per journey until Tuesday 31st December 2024 and then £3 until Wednesday 31st December 2025 in England.
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said:
“The value of regular and reliable bus services cannot be understated.
“For far too long, the South West has been suffering from unreliable services with buses hugely delayed, or not even turning up at all.
“This funding kickstarts the bus revolution to bring an end to the postcode lottery of bus services, drive economic growth and make sure people have proper access to jobs and opportunities.
“We’ve already committed over £150 million to extend the bus fare cap and keep fares low and this nearly £1 billion of further funding will mean local routes are protected, reliability is improved and the passenger is put first.”
Bus funding allocation 2025 /26
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council: £6,016,436
- Cornwall Council (including Isles of Scilly): £10,589,782
- Devon County Council: £11,618,699
- Dorset Council: £3,815,959
- Gloucestershire County Council: £8,031,694
- North Somerset Council: £4,878,543
- Plymouth City Council: £4,596,304
- Somerset County Council: £6,849,770
- Swindon Borough Council: £2,894,900
- Torbay Council: £2,127,108
- West of England Combined Authority: £14,863,806
- Wiltshire Council: £6,874,997
Further information
- Dorset Council’s 2024 plan to improve bus services
- Department for Transport announcement
