A bus firm boss has left the company just days after announcements over service cuts and another hike in fares.

Simon Newport, former general manager of First Wessex, ended his role at the firm yesterday.

The shock departure comes as the company this week admitted it was ‘operating in a challenging economic environment’ after announcing savage cuts to some of its winter services and introducing a further increase to fares across its Dorset network. 

As reported by the Echo on Wednesday, a 50p price hike for most adult single and child return fares sparked a backlash from residents. It is the third time the company has upped its fares this year. 

This came in amidst existing anger over First’s announcement that it will withdraw Sunday provisions from service 3 (Westham), service 4 (Preston) and service 8 (Chickerell) over winter.

Sunday services from Dorchester to Bridport (X51) and Weymouth to Bridport (X53) have also been withdrawn.

In information confirmed to borough councillor Ian Bruce by First, the company said it was no longer sustainable to run the services without county council funding.

First also confirmed it is moving away from a general management structure, instead, an operational manager will report to a head of operations and an engineering manager will report to a fleet engineer.

Cllr Bruce, whose Preston ward has been affected by service cuts, said he is now looking to hold an urgent meeting with chiefs in the company to discuss its future in the area after what he describes as a “backward step” by First.

He said: “We in the council have been developing Weymouth and Portland as an all year round resort. 

“We don’t want people getting employed in the summer and then see massive unemployment in the winter. 

“It’s frustrating when all of us have moved away from public subsidy to a viable situation. This is very much a backward step.”

Cllr Bruce spoke of his concern over the cuts to winter services for people who don’t drive or may want to leave their car at home to go out in the evening.

He added: “This is clearly not an acceptable situation. 

“We need to forget the idea that Sunday is a day of rest and that people don’t need to get around. If you are young and have just started out in your first job you may get rostered on to work Sundays. What do you do then?”

Cllr Bruce added that he saw Mr Newport as someone who ‘thought outside the box’ to improve services. 

First Wessex was contacted by the Echo but a spokesman declined to comment.