PUBLIC transport in Dorset is better than people think it is – with many just confused about where to find travel information.

Service director Matthew Piles says that while the county still has many bus and rail services, despite cuts, the county council has not been as good as it should be in directing people to the information.

“The information is there – we just need to signpost it better,” he told the council’s people and communities committee on Wednesday.

He also re-iterated the department’s mantra that public transport is not just about regular bus routes and services.

“We do need to change the perception of what transport there will be in the future,” he said, pointing to the growth of community transport projects which had sprung up, usually run by volunteers. He said that the county now had 89 established schemes, using cars, taxis and minibuses. “We have staff who will help communities through the process and are keen to promote community schemes,” he said.

Cllr Derek Beer, who leads on public transport for the county council, said residents needed to adopt a ‘can do’ attitude and he said: “we do need to shout about what we do, and how we do it well.” We need to get away from the public perception, probably 99 per cent, that it doesn’t work.”

Cllr Graham Carr-Jones, said: “I’m still confused about what I tell my community when they tell me about not being able to get a bus from Stalbridge to Yeovil on a Saturday afternoon. I’m not comforted by what I’ve heard.”