Up to Thursday 2 April – Regular service
Friday 3 April (Good Friday) – Sunday service (No service CR6 or X51)
Saturday 4 April – Saturday service
Sunday 5 April (Easter Sunday) – Sunday service (No service CR6 or X51)
Monday 6 April (Easter Monday) – Sunday service (No service CR6 or X51)
From Tuesday 7 April – Regular service resumes
From 1st April 2026, new rail regulations will come into effect which mean that flexible walk-up tickets (such as Anytime, Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak) will only be refundable prior to the first day of validity.
If you want a refund, you should apply for it before 23:59 the evening before the day of travel.
Additionally, the same-day, post-purchase fee-free refund period is shortened from 1 hour to 15 minutes.
These changes will apply to all retailers, train operators and points-of-sale.
Tickets purchased on or before 31st March 2026 will not be affected by these policy changes, even if they were booked for travel after 1st April.
Your right to a fee-free refund when you abandon a journey due to disruption (delays, cancellations) is unaffected.
Refund requests from customers who experience significant personal events that stop them from travelling on the day (known as “exceptional circumstances”) will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
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In a nutshell, DON’T BUY A WALK-UP TICKET IN ADVANCE! If you have any doubt whatsoever about whether you will make your planned journey – buying your walk-up ticket in advance will risk you losing the option of claiming a refund or making changes.
Tickets affected are:
Day Travelcards
Rover tickets
Ranger tickets
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Advance tickets are already non-refundable, however the day or time of travel can be changed right up to the time your journey is due to begin (An admin fee may be payable).
There are several social media and YouTube videos circulating claiming that wide-ranging changes have been or are about to be made to the English National Concessionary bus pass. Some of these posts are quite convincing and sophisticated, making use of AI technology and even appearing to be presented by well-known media figures. The motivation of those behind these videos can only be guessed at, however they are clearly immune to the fact that they will be causing distress or confusion to some who rely on their bus passes for mobility.
Please be assured that these messages are false – there are NO plans to change the validity of passes; whether to routes, times of use or geographical availability. You may continue to use your pass as normal.
You can continue to get a bus pass for free travel across England when you reach the State Pension age or qualify for a disabled person’s pass.
WATAG’s public meeting held on 29 January 2026 included a presentation of our initial ‘Vision for the Future’ for public transport in our area. We believe that the frequency of bus services MUST improve but we need to demonstrate to both Dorset Council and the bus operators that investment will work for everyone.
You may view the presentation here and read the speaker notes here
We welcome your input – this is very much ‘work in progress’ – please email us with your feedback at watag@hotmail.co.uk
UPDATE:
The minutes for this general meeting (GM129) and the preceding AGM may be viewed or downloaded here
The next Public meeting of the West Dorset (Western Area) Transport Action Group (WATAG) will be held on Thursday 29 January 2026 at 18.30
Bridport Town Council Offices, Mountfield, Bridport DT6 3JP
The evening will start with our Annual General Meeting, at which the Chair will give a quick review of the last 12 months. We’ve had a busy year – with a number of new committee members bringing a wider range of expertise – and also relaunched a much improved website.
We then continue with our Public Meeting. This will include a presentation of WATAG’s initial “Vision for the Future” of public transport in our area. We believe that the frequency of bus services MUST improve but we need to demonstrate to both Dorset Council and the bus operators that investment will work for everyone. We will share our thinking on this – it is very much “work in progress” and we encourage feedback!
The meeting starts at 18.30 (doors open from 18.00) and we aim to finish by 20.00. As always, you will be most welcome to share your views and raise questions about local bus and rail services. We have invited representatives form Dorset Council and rail and bus companies to join us if they wish, to provide their own updates.
Anyone interested in public transport issues is encouraged to attend. We are also keen to widen our committee, so if you are interested in joining our Advisory Group, please let us know, either in advance or after the meeting.
This will be a ‘hybrid’ meeting, and a link will be provided to enable those unable to attend in person to join us on Zoom. Please consider joining our email list to be sent the link, or you are welcome to contact us at watag@hotmail.co.uk
22nd & 23rd December – normal weekday service
24th December – X51/53 Saturday timetable / CR6 – normal weekday timetable
25th & 26th December – No service
27th & 28th December – normal Saturday / Sunday timetable
29th – 31st December – X51/53 Saturday timetable / CR6 – normal weekday timetable
New Year’s Day – No service
2nd January – normal weekday service
DORSET COUNCIL MEDIA RELEASE – MONDAY 8 DECEMBER 2025
Dorset Council has secured £12m in multi-year bus funding from Government to improve services and stops across the county from 2026/27 to 2028/29.
While this is a welcome boost, it falls short of what’s needed to deliver consistent hourly routes and full Saturday timetables.
Over the next three years, £6.8m in revenue funding will help Dorset Council and local operators make targeted upgrades, such as restoring some Saturday services and improving frequencies where demand is strongest. £5.2m in capital funding will pay for better bus stops and real-time information, with capital support continuing to 2029/30.
These improvements will still make a difference for residents who rely on buses for essential journeys, even if they cannot match the scale of investment seen elsewhere.
However, Dorset’s allocation is significantly lower than neighbouring and similar rural authorities. Cornwall will receive £30m and Somerset £22m, while Plymouth and Wiltshire also have higher shares.
This means Dorset cannot deliver the same level of service improvements seen elsewhere, and the council will continue pressing for a fairer long-term share.
South Western Railway and Network Rail are set to restore the full West of England Line timetable on Saturday 29 November
A reduced service has operated since August due to the UK’s driest ever spring and summer, which affected track conditions from Yeovil to Exeter
Conditions have improved and engineers are carrying out track repairs that will allow trains to travel at regular speeds
When restored, direct train services between London Waterloo and Exeter St Davids will once again run hourly, to their regular journey times. Passengers can check before travelling with journey planners now fully up to date
Full details are here
This is a summary of the West Dorset Western Area Transport Action Group’s (WATAG) response to the second consultation on the Dorset Council/BCP Council Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4), emphasising the need for sustainable transport solutions.
You may read the entire response document here.
LTP4 Ambitions and Integration
WATAG supports LTP4’s goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from transport by 2050 and promoting inclusive, sustainable communities. Concerns arise regarding LTP4’s insufficient integration with the draft Local Plan, particularly in defining and supporting ‘sustainable’ economic growth. Key performance indicators for greenhouse gas emissions need to be more stringent, encompassing all greenhouse gases and ensuring absolute reductions rather than per capita metrics.
Implementation Plan Concerns
The first Implementation Plan (2026-31) lacks specific commitments, with future plans showing even less clarity. Financial constraints faced by Dorset Council should encourage greater collaboration with local authorities and third-sector organisations, which is currently lacking.
WATAG expresses a desire to participate in developing the Bridport Region Integrated Links network and similar initiatives for other Tier 2 settlements like Lyme Regis and Beaminster.
Transport Strategy and Local Needs
WATAG generally agrees with LTP4’s principles but highlights ambiguities that could undermine its effectiveness, particularly in defining sustainable economic development. The draft Local Plan aims to improve connectivity and employment opportunities in Western Dorset, but LTP4’s proposals fall short of meeting these goals. The definition of ‘sustainable transport’ in LTP4 is supported, but the lack of ambitious proposals for Western Dorset is disappointing, with only seven projects listed for the area compared to more for other regions.
Bridport Region Integrated Links (BRIL)
BRIL aims to create a network of high-quality public transport and active travel corridors, with inter-urban buses providing direct services to key destinations. Proposed measures include prioritising buses in town centres and enhancing service frequencies to make public transport more competitive with car travel. A mobility hub in Bridport is envisioned to connect various transport modes and support an expanded active-travel network, with potential for on-demand rural services.
Conclusions and Recommendations
WATAG welcomes LTP4’s ambitions but stresses the need for better integration with the draft Local Plan and clearer definitions of sustainable economic growth. We call for tighter greenhouse gas emissions indicators and more specific commitments in the Implementation Plan for Western Dorset.
WATAG is eager to collaborate on developing transport solutions that address local needs and enhance connectivity in the region.