WATAG considers the X51 bus route, connecting Bridport and Lyme with our county town, county hospital and three rail stations, to be West Dorset’s primary core route. We are calling for the restitution of a year-round hourly service.
In its September 2025 Local Transport Plan (LTP4) Dorset Council describes the X51 as a crucial corridor for travel across the region,
linking key towns along the A35, supporting access
to employment, education, and healthcare, and being
especially important for communities without direct
rail access.
LTP4 goes on to set out the following objectives:
Increase bus service frequency on strategic bus networks
“Enhance the frequency and reliability of bus services on strategic inter-urban routes, such as Bridport–Axminster-Dorchester and Bridport–Yeovil, providing better access to employment, education, and healthcare. Saturday bus services will be extended to ensure consistent service levels throughout the week. The introduction of zero-emission buses will modernise the fleet, reduce emissions, and improve the passenger experience.”
Public transport that is inclusive and accessible
“We will improve our public transport networks to widen opportunities to access local facilities. Services will be attractive, safe, inclusive and reliable. We will work with partners to increase service frequency and improve connectivity within and between urban and rural locations.”
“Local bus services will operate at higher frequencies, with extended operating hours, becoming a more viable option for getting around without the need to drive.
More people will use public transport to get to work, school and other key services like hospitals, and user satisfaction will increase.”Fully integrated seamless connections
“Social deprivation will be reduced across the area as more people feel confident and able to access bus and rail services.
Transport services will be fully integrated so people can make seamless connections between public transport, active travel and sustainable car use “
We agree with every word. And yet…
The X51 service in the 2025/26 winter timetable, which came into effect on 21 September 2025, was significantly reduced compared to the already limited service of last winter, and easily the worst in living memory. How could Dorset Council and First have imagined this would be acceptable to the community?
The council even raised the possibility of losing the route entirely.
Fortunately, pressure from transport action groups, residents, schools and businesses has led to a U-turn and a new timetable closer to that of last winter. WATAG continues to campaign for the restoration of a core, year-round hourly service between Bridport and Dorchester – sadly, still lacking. Nevertheless, we welcome this change in direction from Dorset Council and look forward to greater transparency and wider consultation in the future. We earnestly hope this marks the start of a better collaborative effort to develop a sustainable transport network for West Dorset.
What can be done for the future? It may be that the present ‘Enhanced Partnership’ between Dorset Council and First Wessex which effectively means the summer service is operated as a for-profit commercial First Bus service, while winter buses rely on council subsidy is not benefiting passengers or taxpayers. Could it be better for Dorset to retake full control of bus services and franchise them to the best operator? Either way, it’s a mistake to only look at the bottom line while ignoring the wider economic, social, and environmental gains to be made from running the bus service West Dorset needs and deserves.
WATAG considers the X51 route, connecting Bridport and Lyme Regis with our county town, County Hospital and Dorchester’s two rail stations, to be West Dorset’s core bus route. We are calling for an hourly, year-round service, together with later evening services to help boost the local economies of Lyme Regis, Bridport and Dorchester and improve rail connections at Dorchester and Axminster.
We believe the way to increase passenger numbers is to run a clock-face hourly service on which passengers can rely without risking a two-hour wait for a return bus.
In the short to medium term, any cost of an enhanced bus service will be offset by the benefits to Dorset’s local economy, supporting high streets, cultural venues and hospitality, helping them to thrive.
Dorset also has a clear obligation to consider the positive environmental impact of reducing car journeys.
