A council has said it requires more funding for full bus service improvements despite securing £12m from the Government.
Over the next three years, £6.8m in revenue funding will help Dorset Council make upgrades, such as restoring some Saturday services and improving frequencies.
£5.2m in capital funding will pay for better bus stops and real-time information, with capital support continuing to 2029/30.
Dorset Council’s Cabinet Member for Place Services, Jon Andrews said: “It’s clear Dorset needs a fairer long-term share to match our rural geography and travel needs.”
The authorities said that while this was a “welcome boost” it falls short of what’s needed to deliver consistent hourly routes and full Saturday timetables.
However, the improvements will still make a difference for residents who rely on buses for essential journeys, even if they cannot match the scale of investment seen elsewhere.
Dorset’s allocation is significantly lower than neighbouring and similar rural authorities.
Cornwall will receive £30m and Somerset £22m, while Plymouth and Wiltshire also have higher shares.
This means Dorset cannot deliver the same level of service improvements seen elsewhere, and the council will continue pressing for a fairer long-term share.
Cllr Andrews said: “We’ll keep pressing for that while making the best use of what we have.”
The council has agreed the delivery schedule with bus operators prioritising routes and locations where improvements make the biggest difference.
