Yellow Buses has announced plans for a revised network from April.
Following the introduction in January 2017 of eight colour coded lines, including new route numbers, the Bournemouth-based operator conducted a major public consultation, which involved 1,200 street surveys, focus groups and other passenger feedback mechanisms.
In response, Yellow Buses said it is fine-tuning its network, with the revisions include the restoration of through buses from Poole to Christchurch, while limited services to some outlying areas, which are not viable and the local authority does not wish to support, will be withdrawn.
The routes have been registered with the Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain and will take effect from Sunday, April 8. Yellow Buses said no fares will rise as a result of the revised network.
David Squire, who was appointed Managing Director in October, said: “We will be keeping some very successful elements of last year’s network change such as the colour coded routes.
“The changes we are making will ensure a simple to understand, high frequency network that is both punctual and reliable at an affordable price. The majority of our customers will see the same or better frequency as a result.
“We will be delivering this from April. Put simply, our message to passengers is: You’ve spoken and we’ve listened.
“Yellow Buses is a great company with a huge history and an iconic brand but like any business we cannot rest on our laurels.
“We are in a highly competitive market, with challenges from cars, congestion and sometimes the climate and so must keep evolving to retain the loyalty of our customers and win new passengers onto our excellent services. I’m confident these changes will provide a solid foundation for that success.
“We will be focusing our resources in the revised network to offer the best possible services, as expressed by the surveys we’ve undertaken, that are financially sustainable for the long-term. We shall be looking to extend these further in due course, although this will depend on the evolution of transport policy in the wider conurbation.”
