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Bus Grant Funding 2026/27 Delivery Programme

The 2026/27 Bus Grant Funding Delivery Programme sets out how we intend to use our Local Authority Bus Grant (LABG) allocation to improve local bus services and passenger facilities across Dorset.

The programme supports Dorset's Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) and forms part of the Council's wider Local Transport Delivery Plan (LTDP) 2026/27 to 2029/30. Whilst focused on 2026/27, many of the schemes form part of a longer-term programme of investment extending to 2029/30.

We have been allocated the following funding by the Department for Transport:
Year Revenue Capital
2026/27 £2,443,121 £1,711,407
2027/28 £2,261,496 £1,745,808
2028/29 £2,261,496 £1,780,208
2029/30 Not applicable £1,814,608
Total £6,966,113 £7,052,031
2026/27 Delivery Plan - Revenue
Category Scheme Description
Core route maintenance Maintaining the Socially Necessary Core Route (CR) Network Bus Grant funding to supplement Dorset Council's budget for the Core Route network of essential inter-urban bus services.
Enhancement to the CR Network CR6 (Bridport-Yeovil) Enhancement Continued Saturday services matching Monday to Friday frequencies and extension of short journeys to their full length to improve travel opportunities.
Enhancement to the CR Network CR2 (Gillingham - Shaftesbury) and CR3 (Gillingham - Sturminster Newton) Enhancement Continued Saturday services matching Monday to Friday frequencies and retiming of services to improve connections in Gillingham.
Enhancements to the Commercial Bus Network Service 10 Enhancement Improve weekend service levels to every 15 minutes on Saturdays and every 20 minutes on Sundays throughout the year, together with improved through travel opportunities to Portland.
Enhancements to the Commercial Bus Network Improved Park and Ride Service Provision on Service 2 Enhancement and diversion of Service 2 to serve Mount Pleasant Park and Ride. Services will operate every 12 minutes Monday to Saturday and every 15 minutes on Sundays during the summer season, and every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday and every 20 minutes on Sundays during the winter season.
Enhancements to the Commercial Bus Network X54 Saturday Service Reinstatement Reinstatement of Saturday Service for X54 for the winter period which will restore a 6-day-per-week service, improving access to key destinations and providing a more dependable transport offer for communities.
Enhanced community transport Community Transport Provision Revenue support for community transport operators to assist with existing operating costs and facilitate the development of new or enhanced services.
Enhanced community transport Purbeck Shuttle 200 A registered minibus service linking Wareham railway station with key visitor destinations within Purbeck.
Enhanced community transport West Bay Shuttle (WB1) A registered minibus service linking Bridport and West Bay.
Feedback and reporting Transport Focus - Your Bus Journey Participation in the Transport Focus Your Bus Journey survey programme to gain and monitor bus user feedback and satisfaction.
2026/27 Delivery Plan - Capital
Category Scheme Description
Bus Fleet Electrification Electrification of Swanage Bus Fleet Investment in depot charging infrastructure.
Bus stops/stations/interchanges Bus Stop Infrastructure Renewal Renewal of bus stop infrastructure, including poles, flags and shelters at targeted locations across the county.
Bus stops/stations/interchanges RTI Upgrades Phase 2 Further improvement and expansion of Real Time Information provision across the Dorset bus network.