Community Transport: West Dorset

Bus services can be a lifeline in rural areas and can often be the only means of accessing essential services. The Government is, therefore, helping improve local bus services across the country, including through the Bus Services Act 2025, which puts the power over local bus services back into the hands of local leaders.

Community transport plays a vital role in connecting people with communities and essential services, especially in rural areas. We encourage local authorities to engage with their local community transport operators to ensure they are taken into consideration in local transport planning.

Community transport operators can be funded using Local Authority Bus Grants (LABG), which for the first time include consideration of the rurality of local areas. Dorset County Council, will receive £12 million from 2026/27 for the next three years, in addition to the £3.8 million received in 2025/26.

The Department for Transport also makes available up to £3.8 million each year to community transport operators through the Bus Service Operators Grant. This is discretionary funding for eligible operators to help with their operating costs. A 60% uplift has been added to claims until 31 March 2027, so £1.60 is received for every £1 claimed, reflecting increased costs.