15 percent increase in bus travellers over a July weekend (From Dorset Echo)

15 percent increase in bus travellers over a July weekend

3:00pm Thursday 1st November 2012 in News

THERE was a 15 per cent increase in the number of people travelling on First buses in the borough over the weekend of July 28 and 29 compared with the same weekend on 2011.

“This equates to several thousand extra people travelling each day,” First spokesman Karen Baxter said.

Over the Olympic fortnight as a whole First carried 12.51 per cent more people than the year before in Weymouth and Portland.

More buses were brought in and the frequency of services was increased.

Drivers provided information for visitors but this caused some delays Mrs Baxter said.

Mrs Baxter added: “The improvements made to Dorset’s transport network over the past few years, and the installation of the Real Time Bus information system, will be the lasting legacy of the Games.

“While we understand there were some teething issues with the real time system once these were overcome, local people saw the true lasting benefit of this investment.”