A NEW evening bus service linking Lyme Regis, Bridport and the villages in between will officially launch this Friday 1 May.
Offering residents and visitors a safe, convenient and affordable way to travel for evening events throughout the summer.
The service, called LB1, will run every Friday and Saturday night until Saturday 26 September, providing a vital transport link between the two towns and stopping at Chideock, Morecombelake and Charmouth along the route.
The first journey will depart Bridport bus station at 6.15pm, with the final return bus leaving Lyme Regis at 11.30pm. Passengers will also be able to connect with the X53 service from Weymouth for the first two buses from Bridport, while the final LB1 service from Lyme Regis will continue on to Weymouth, offering greater flexibility for evening travel.
To mark the launch of this important new service, the mayor of Lyme Regis, Cllr Philip Evans, and the mayor of Bridport, Cllr Anne Rickard, will take part in the maiden voyage from Bridport on Friday evening, joined by the chairmen of parish councils along the route. The journey celebrates the strong partnership working between communities and organisations to deliver improved transport for the area.
The timing of the launch coincides with a packed programme of events taking place across both towns this weekend, including free events, giving residents the perfect opportunity to make use of the new service.
In Bridport, live music will take place on Allington Hill as part of the popular ‘Music on the Hill’ event, on both Friday 1 May and Saturday 2 May, running from 6pm to 10pm. The Electric Palace will also be hosting evening screenings across the weekend.
Meanwhile in Lyme Regis, the renowned band Dub Pistols will perform at the Marine Theatre on Friday evening, and on Saturday the town will host its first-ever ‘Cinema on the Beach’, with a film screening of ‘The Greatest Showman’ on Lyme Regis sandy beach starting at 7pm.
With so much happening across the area, the LB1 service provides a reliable way for people to travel, enjoy local entertainment and return home safely.
The project for the late-night bus service was spearheaded by West Dorset Commons, working in partnership with Lyme Regis Town Council, who together secured a £20,000 grant from Western Gateway STB, the Sub-national Transport Body for the West of England.
The service will be operated by First Bus, using its well-known double-decker vehicles capable of carrying more than 90 passengers, helping to reduce congestion and support sustainable travel.
The mayor of Lyme Regis, Cllr Philip Evans said, “This service will be of huge benefit to the towns and villages along the route, improving accessibility and offering greater choice for residents and visitors alike.
“It supports our local economy, helps people enjoy the many events taking place in our communities, and provides a safe and reliable transport option for those working or socialising in the evenings.
“This is a fantastic example of what can be achieved through partnership working, and we are proud to support it.”
The introduction of the LB1 builds on other successful local transport initiatives supported by the town council, including the Lyme Link community bus and the park and ride service, demonstrating a continued commitment to improving connectivity in Lyme Regis.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to make use of the new service this summer and enjoy everything Lyme Regis, Bridport and the surrounding villages have to offer, without the worry of how to get home.