A council is looking for a way to replace a community bus so as not to leave residents without access to transport links.

Portland Town Council has launched a report into setting up a new bus after Community Bus 1 ceases its service on July 21.

The weekday bus service is currently run by Dorset County Council, but the council said it could no longer support the route as it needs to make savings of £1 million from subsidised bus routes.

Cllr Sue Cocking, who is conducting the report along with fellow finance committee members Cllr Jim Draper and Cllr Charlie Flack, said the hope was “to continue the existing service in a more sustainable way.”

The service from Castletown to Portland Bill started in April last year and gave residents on Portland who do not live along main bus routes a crucial link to First’s bus service 1 to take them into Weymouth.

When the service ends it could leave some Portlanders more isolated, particularly those who live in The Grove and East Weare.

The possibility of setting up a new community bus was discussed during a presentation to Portland Town Council at its annual meeting by general manager of First Wessex, Simon Newport.

Mr Newport said that while there was a clear social need for a route which would connect places such as Castletown, Verne Common and The Grove, First itself would not be able to provide it.

He said: “I think there is a need for something that mainly runs from between half past nine and half past two, from Monday to Friday which could fit around something else.”

He added such a service could be wrapped around a school contract or social services contract.

He said: “How would you set it up? It would need to be yourselves, the town council.”

Cllr Sue Lees said it struck her that Mr Newport was “using your service to get holidaymakers on,” rather than meeting the needs of residents on Portland.

Mr Newport said: “I cannot provide a service that doesn’t create any money. I cannot provide a service that doesn’t cover its basic costs.”

Cllr Ray Nowak said: “We do have, and we have to recognise, we do have a good bus service with First.”

He added that the connections required by less mobile Portlanders might could be met with a couple of mini-buses. 

He said: “That’s the problem, the people that are elderly, are disabled or who have children. It is getting them, particularly for East Weares, down that big hill.”

Cllr Cocking offered to lead a report into the viability of the council running the service and it was decided this would be the best course of action.

After the meeting, Cllr Cocking said she hoped the finance committee would be able to present the report with its findings to the full council by July.