A BUS company has tried to reassure passengers who will be cut off when a service is axed.

Passengers in Littlemoor complained they will lose a ‘lifeline’ service when First’s X31 hourly bus is re-routed away from Weymouth.

Cancer patient Brenda Bugler said she relies on the bus to get to appointments at Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester.

From May 24, the bus will only run between Dorchester and Axminster, cutting off the Weymouth section altogether.

General Manager of First Wessex (Dorset and South Somerset) Simon Newport said: “Customers can now use the new Service 14, which provides four journeys per day from Preston and Littlemoor to Dorchester and will stop close to the hospital. This replacement service will offer various departures during the day as well as continuing to provide the direct link.

“For those customers who are unable to fit their journeys around these times, Service 10 will run to and from Dorchester every 15 minutes during the day and connects with other frequent services at both Broadwey or Weymouth King’s Statue.

“Customers will not incur a fare penalty while making these connections because return fares are now interchangeable.”