Users will see new operators, a change in the number of the service and a slightly altered timetable. School pupils using these services will be able to use their existing bus passes until new ones have been issued.

Bus operators will continue to go through a tender process for a particular bus route for a contracted price. The difference is that Dorset Council will receive the income from passengers and the value of the contract will reflect this change. Previously the operator collected this money.

The council will analyse passenger numbers and adjust services accordingly. The timetables are agreed by the council and the operator as part of the contract. There is also a possibility that cross operator pricing can be introduced to make it easier for people to move around.

There are four services already running with this new arrangement: Service 2 (previously X2), Service 3 (previously X4) and Service 5 (previously X11) now run by South West Coaches & Service 6 (previously 6,6A,6B) now run by First Wessex with another two services launched on Monday 30 January. They are replacements for the existing X3 (new service 7 run by Go South Coast/Damory) running between Blandford & Shaftesbury and existing X10 (new service 4 run by First Wessex) running between Blandford & Yeovil.

Cllr Noc Lacey-Clarke, cabinet lead member for Environment, Travel and Harbours, said: “This change in the way the services are managed means that we have more control on what is being offered to Dorset residents. There are further plans to look at introducing a demand response service to provide access to the inter-town services. This will depend upon funding from national government.

“We have already seen an increase in passenger usage on at least one of these new services, which is very promising.”

Single fares on all buses in Dorset are currently capped at £2. This is part of the government’s Help for Households and will continue until the end of March.

Information about timetables can be found at https://www.traveline.info/ or from the bus operators.