Concern over X51 bus diversion through West Dorset villages

Concern had been raised that diverting a bus so that it stops in certain villages will make the service unreliable for travellers wanting to connect with trains.

As reported, First Bus announced that following a campaign from residents and Dorchester Transport Action Group, its X51 Weymouth to Bridport and Axminster will divert as a trial service so it serves the villages of Martinstown and Winterbourne Steepleton - communities which have not had a bus link for years.

It will run from Sunday, May 12 to September when First will review passenger numbers to access the route’s long-term viability. 

READ MORE: Residents urged to use First Bus' X51 trial bus service

First had altered the route in 2014 due to concerns it was taking too long to divert from the main road through the villages - but has had a rethink following a campaign.

Martinstown street picture (Image: Graham Hunt)

Bridport pensioner Alan Williams, who has previously been given an award for saving a local bus service, claimed the new bus timetable will delay its arrival at Axminster railway station. 

He said:  “Buses would not be able to make it in time for people to make their connecting trains at Axminster. That’s the reason why they took out the stops around Winterbourne Steepleton and Martinstown - because of its unreliability.

"By doing that the bus has saved six to eight minutes, so people have a better chance of making their connecting trains at Axminster." 

He also expressed worries about more congestion on the roads as well as doubt over the reliability of First Bus' use of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered software to design and update its timetables.

First Bus uses AI to provide information on the traffic conditions and potential run times based on observations made over the past three years (Image: First)

He said: “Traffic has got worse in the last ten years. No one gives buses priority. And with the use of AI software to generate a timetable, there’s a risk buses won’t be able to meet the train times at Axminster if they go by Martinstown."

READ MORE: Campaign for bus in Winterbourne Steepleton and Martinstown

First Bus said: "The timetables do offer connections to Axminster, with c. 12-16 mins wait time for both the Exeter and London-bound service. This is with the exception of 4.03pm which didn’t have those connections previously.

"In addition to this, we’re offering Sunday services which we did not do previously to enhance the connectivity in the region."

First confirmed that AI is used to provide information on the traffic conditions and potential run times based on observations made over the past three years.

Dorchester Transport Action Group chairman Stewart Palmer said: "Bus scheduling is a notoriously difficult issue given the very variable traffic conditions by time of day and day of week. Bus users want a reliable timetable, but they also want a regular timetable pattern.

"The balance of these priorities is therefore inevitably difficult. Anything that makes this process better is to be applauded and if that includes AI then users will I am sure welcome this."