A NEW park and ride bus link is set to be launched in Weymouth for the school summer holidays.

Operated by Transpora, the service will run from Saturday, July 22 to Sunday, September 3.

Running out of the Dorset Council Mount Pleasant park and ride facility, buses will run frequently into the town centre next to the King's Statue on the seafront, at Stand K8.

Dorset Council used to run buses from the site into town but this service was withdrawn and since then anyone parking there has had to walk out of the site and head to a bus stop near Sainsbury's to pick up a First bus service.

Transpora, which is working with Weymouth Town Council to promote its service, said that it saw 'a gap in the market' and decided a new park and ride was a 'great way' to support those visiting Weymouth.

The town council said that it 'welcomed' the service.

The new link will operate seven days a week, including bank holidays, during the school summer break.

The first service into town sets off from the site at 7.48am and the last bus back to the car park is 7pm.

Customers do not pay for parking and instead pay on the bus, with cash and contactless card payments accepted.

A group ticket is £6, adult single £2 and child single £1. There will also be reduced pricing options for return journeys, as well as free travel for concessionary pass holders.

Tickets can also be bought via the MyTrip app, which can be dowloaded on the App Store or Google Play.

It comes as parking charges in Weymouth town centre have been slammed by councillors and residents for being too high.

Dorset Council last week agreed to review the controversial charges following outcry from business owners and residents. 

But some claim this review, which won't start until September, will be too late. 

Transpora said the setting up of the new park and ride bus 'has no relation' to the increased parking charges in Weymouth.

The service has been registered for the summers of 2023 and 2024 and may continue for longer 'depending on success', the company confirmed. 

Charlie Butler, marketing and communications manager for Transpora, said: "Buses will operate daily from Saturday, July 22 until Sunday, September 3 this year.

"They will start around 8am and finish around 6.30pm. Buses will run at frequent intervals and will drop customers right on the beach on stand K8 at the King's Statue.

"Customers do not pay for parking, they simply pay on the bus. For five people travelling together the price will be £6 to get there and back, this is much cheaper than parking for the same period.

"We will also accept concessionary fare passes going in both directions."

Weymouth town councillor Cllr Peter Barrow, who is also a Liberal Democrat councillor for Radipole on Dorset Council, said: "The park and ride car park has been sat there like a big white elephant ever since it has been built.

"The bus operator has shown a bit of initiative and is quite keen to make a success of it, and the fares are going to be pretty reasonable.

"Convenience is what people want. If there is a bus within easy reach then people will use that."

Cllr Barrow added that the addition of the service will avoid buses being too busy on their way into town and prevent the need to walk long distances to pick up a bus.

He said that 'time will tell' whether town centre car parks will be negatively affected by the addition of this new service.

Visit transporabus.co.uk for more information and timetables.