More buses from 2027 in £67m transport shake-up

Residents of a rural county are being promised more frequent buses, Saturday services, new routes and new community transport services from next summer.

Dorset Council's cabinet has agreed a £67.6m, seven-year transport "transformation" programme, including additional investment totalling £39.3m.

The plan aims to shift funding away from specialist transport provision and towards strengthening the wider transport system.

The proposals were passed unanimously, although some councillors raised concerns that parts of the plan had not been budgeted and partner agencies were yet to commit.

Tuesday's cabinet was told the first improvements to core routes would be delivered in summer 2027, "adding more than 700 journeys each week".

The plan also proposes greater collaboration with the NHS, an Independent Travel Training service for people with special needs, and Demand Responsive Transport services for areas without conventional public transport.

Place services councillor Jack Jeanes said the proposals were "about supporting wider transformation across adult social care, SEND and other public services by helping more people to travel independently and access the opportunities and support they need".

Council leader Nick Ireland said: "This is a big deal. This is not just a transport project, it's a transformation programme.

"Our plan is to create a joined-up system. Instead of separate bus, community, health and specialist transport services, they all work together."

Councillors Laura Beddow and Carol Jones raised concerns about the plan to collaborate with the NHS, saying there was no budget or agreement in place.

Beddow said: "I'm a bit nervous about why cabinet is being asked to approve a £67.6m programme when the principal health partner has not yet made a quantified commitment to support the delivery of it."

Jack Wiltshire, corporate director for highways, said conversations with the NHS were ongoing, adding: "Working with the NHS is one of the things we want to see further on in the programme."