U-Turn on Dorset Bus Cuts as Parents and Commuters Push Back

Dorset Council has been forced into an embarrassing U-turn after furious residents, parents, and local campaigners rallied against sweeping cuts to key bus routes.

The changes, announced earlier this month, would have slashed services on the X51 and X53 routes linking Dorchester, Bridport, Lyme Regis, Axminster and Weymouth. Weekday timetables were set to be reduced, evening services axed, and Sunday buses virtually eliminated. For many in rural villages, it would have meant isolation from jobs, schools, and essential services.

Public Outcry and Pressure
The backlash was immediate. Parents warned that children would be unable to reach schools and colleges on time. Commuters said their livelihoods were at risk, with no realistic alternative to the bus. Elderly residents feared losing access to medical appointments and shops.

Community transport groups accused the council of making decisions “behind closed doors” and failing to consult properly. Critics pointed out the contradiction: Dorset’s own Bus Service Improvement Plan promises to expand coverage and improve reliability, not leave communities stranded.

The U-Turn
Faced with mounting anger, Dorset Council and operator First Bus have now agreed to revisit the timetable. Some weekend and evening journeys are expected to be restored, and timetables may be re-aligned with trains at Axminster to avoid cutting off cross-county links.

The council has also promised to improve transparency and involve residents earlier in decision-making — something critics say should have been obvious from the start.

The Bigger Picture
This reversal highlights a deeper issue: councils under budget pressure quietly cutting “socially necessary” services, only backtracking when public outrage forces their hand. While no one denies the strain on local finances, critics argue that councils are too quick to treat rural communities as expendable.

Many residents say bus services are not a luxury but a lifeline. Without them, villages risk becoming ghost towns, young people drift away, and car dependency worsens.

Accountability Matters
For many taxpayers, the concern is two-fold: why the council was prepared to rubber-stamp cuts without scrutiny, and whether promises of restoration will be kept beyond the short term. The U-turn is welcome, but trust has been damaged.

The message from Dorset is clear: families, workers, and pensioners will not quietly accept decisions that undermine their way of life. Councils must remember they answer to residents first — not to accountants or corporate operators.