New timetables from Sunday 12 May

2nd May 2024All areas

Location

Across the Wessex network
Cause

Service Changes
Responsibility

First Wessex
Effective

12/05/2024 - 12/05/2024

From Sunday 12 May 2024, we will be introducing new timetables for our Summer uplift.

The timetable changes have been designed to improve punctuality on the network, helping passengers' journeys and keeping Dorset moving. The changes have been created in consultation with Dorset Council, using feedback from local passenger user groups, as well as First Wessex drivers.

For the first time in Dorset, the timetable changes also use the latest network planning software which predicts traffic conditions and peak running times for bus services. The system is already widely in use across much of First Bus’s UK network.

Responding to requests from the community, the changes also include a trial route on the X51 diverting via Martinstown and Winterbourne Steepleton. The trial will run until September, and passenger numbers will be reviewed throughout to assess the route’s long-term viability.

Further changes include:

Following feedback, evening services have been added to the Service 8 Weymouth to Chickerell to meet demand during the summer season.
The 2 Weymouth to Littlemoor will see service returns to an increased 15-minute frequency on Monday to Friday (increased from the winter period).
On the Jurassic Coaster, the popular X50 service will return operate from 12 May until 1 September 2024. It will run every two hours and will now run to Swanage on all days. The service has also been amended to serve Bovington Tank Museum and Monkey World.

Please see below a full list of what is changing and a link to our new Summer 2024 timetable book:

Route	What is changing
1 Weymouth-Portland	A revised timetable will be introduced – the service reflects the same duration and level as summer 2023.
2 Weymouth-Littlemoor	A revised timetable will be introduced. Service returns to a 15-minute frequency on Monday to Friday (increased from the winter period).
3 Weymouth-Westham-Southill	A revised timetable will be introduced, with a 50-minute frequency introduced to aid punctuality.
4 Weymouth-Preston	A revised timetable will be introduced. Improved frequency Monday-Friday, with a 20-minute service throughout the day to serve the needs of Weymouth Bay Haven holiday centre.
CR6 Bridport-Beaminster-Crewkerne-Yeovil	A revised timetable will be introduced.
8 Weymouth-Chickerell	A revised timetable introduced with additional evening trips added for the summer period, based on seasonal demand.
10 Weymouth-Dorchester-Poundbury	A revised timetable will be introduced. Service level remains the same.
*Portland Coaster Weymouth-Portland* (Open Top)**	A revised timetable introduced along with introduction of Low/High season. Service to operate every 120 minutes Mon-Sun
X50 Weymouth-Lulworth-Wool-Swanage	A revised timetable will be introduced. The service will operate every two hours (instead of every hour) and will operate through to Swanage on all days. The X50 combines with the X54 to provide an hourly service between Weymouth, Lulworth, and Wool (echoing their hourly service last year). The service is also amended to serve Bovington Tank Museum and Monkey World. Service to operate until 1 September 2024.
X51 Weymouth-Dorchester-Bridport-Lyme-Axminster	A revised timetable will be introduced. The service will continue to run every two hours
X52 Weymouth-Bridport (open top)	A revised timetable will be introduced, and introduction of summer service. Service is to operate every two hours (interworking with the X53). Due to low demand, the service will operate Monday to Saturday only. Service to operate until 1 September 2024.
X53 Weymouth-West Bay-Bridport-Lyme-Axminster	A revised timetable will be introduced. The service will continue to run every two hours.
X54 Weymouth-Lulworth-Wool-Wareham	A revised timetable will be introduced, and the summer service introduced. The service will now only operate as far as Wareham and will no longer serve Poole due to low passenger demand on this section of the route. This service works together with the X50 to provide an hourly service between Weymouth, Lulworth and Wareham.

Please click here to download or view the new Summer 2024 guide.

CR6 - B3164

Service CR6 - B3164 Closure

To allow for Openreach pole replacements, CR6 services will be required to divert on 29th November between the hours of 09:30 and 15:30.

Services will be diverted via B3163 and A3066 in both directions.

New Winter Timetables

Heads up! Our new winter timetables are launching on Sunday, 20th October 2024 as part of our regular network review.

Created using feedback from bus users, as well as First Wessex drivers, the changes include the retiming of the morning service for Weymouth College students, with the first journey from Beaminster timed to help students connect at Bridport.

In partnership with Dorset Council, the trial diversion of the X51 to serve Martinstown and Winterbourne Steepleton will also continue during the winter season. Passenger numbers will continue to be reviewed to assess the route’s long-term viability.

The X53 route which is currently running on diversion while works take place at Goose Hill in Portesham, will continue with the temporary route and shuttle service T53 until 8 November.

Alongside this are the usual reduction of some services for the winter season, in particular on the Jurassic Coaster services (X51, X53, X54).

Full list of changes:

Route 1 – Journey times revised to account for winter season traffic levels. No changes to frequency.
Route 2 – Frequency reduced to every 20 mins Monday to Saturday. A half hourly service continues on Sundays with revised journey times.
Route 4 – Frequency reduced to every 40 mins daily
Route 8 – Sunday service reduced to operate 10am to 5pm only and journey times revised throughout to account for winter season traffic levels.
Route 10 – Frequency restored to every 15 minutes Monday to Friday, every 20 mins Saturday and every 30 mins Sunday with journey times revised throughout to account for winter season traffic levels.
Route X51 – Sunday service withdrawn for winter season and journey times revised throughout to account for winter season traffic levels. In partnership with Dorset County Council, route X51 will continue to serve Martinstown and Winterbourne Steepleton during the winter season.
Route X53 – Journey times revised to account for winter season traffic levels.
Route X54 – Frequency reduced for the winter season. Please check the timetable.
Route CR6 – The first journey from Beaminster will now depart at 7.04am to ensure a connection at Bridport for students travelling to Weymouth College.

Full timetable details: Timetables | First Bus. Passengers are advised to check details before travelling ahead of the new services coming into effect.

Terrance James, Head of Network for First Wessex, said: “Working in partnership with Dorset Council we’re pleased to make changes which continue to improve services for our customers. These include continuing the X51 route to serve Martinstown and Winterbourne Steepleton, as well as helping college students in Beaminster make their connection to Weymouth College.

“Our next round of network changes will be in May next year and we’re keen to hear from local people on what else they’d like to see from our services.”

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New timetables from Sunday 12 May