A SHAKE-UP of a rural bus route from Dorchester which will see extra journeys added has been welcomed.

Damory has taken over Service 212 to Yeovil, a route now fully subsidised by Dorset County Council.

Some journeys on the route were previously run by South West Coaches on a commercial basis along with some operated by Damory.

But after South West Coaches pulled out, the county council negotiated with Damory for the operator to take over to ensure villagers were not disadvantaged.

The 212 serves communities between Dorchester and Yeovil including Charminster, Stratton, Maiden Newton, Evershot, Holywell and Yetminster.

Now Damory is running a revised and more comprehensive all year round service with council support.

DCC said it was able to do this at not too great an increase in subsidy.

Simon Thompson from Dorset Community Action said: "I welcome these efforts to improve the service and I wait to see what passengers make of these changes.

"The area north of Dorchester is extremely difficult for those trying to access training and work opportunities."

Dorset County Council's public transport team leader Terry Spracklen said: "There will now be an 8.28am departure from Maiden Newton on weekdays all year round and a new Monday to Friday service from Holywell to the county town at 4.43pm.

“Although changes to this service means that the mid-afternoon departure from Dorchester no longer travels past Holywell, passengers can still get to Yeovil using the X11. There is an X11 departure from Dorchester to Yeovil at 4pm.

“The 5.10pm departure from Yeovil will no longer operate but those living in Maiden Newton or Dorchester have the option of travelling by rail while those travelling to Charminster or Dorchester may reach their destination by using the X11 departure from Yeovil at 5.20pm."

Commercial manager for Damory Peter Oliver said: "Damory is really pleased to be able to step in and provide replacement services for much of what was South West Coaches service 212 operated journeys.

“We have worked very closely with the public transport team at Dorset County Council in coming up with this revised Service 212 timetable and will work hard for our customers in providing a reliable and quality service."

Information about bus timetables can be found at dorsetforyou.com/traveldorset

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