Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester Dial-a-Bus

Dial-a-Bus service

The Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester Dial-a-Bus services have been set up to provide wheelchair accessible transport for elderly and disabled people who find it difficult to use existing transport services.

There are two schemes available which serve Dorchester, Portland and Weymouth.

Dial-A-Bus services offer specially adapted buses and trained staff to collect passengers from their front door and transport them to Weymouth or Dorchester town centres.

Dates and times of operation

Weymouth Dial a Bus (pdf, 176kb) (opens in a new window) will collect you from your home between 10.30am and 11.30am and will take you to Weymouth town centre on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. The return journey will depart from the town centre at 1pm and 2pm as required. Weymouth residents can also travel to Dorchester on the first Wednesday of each month.

Dorchester Dial a Bus (pdf, 135kb) (opens in a new window) will collect you from your home between 10.45am and 11.45am and will take you to Dorchester town centre on Wednesdays. The return journey will depart from the town centre at around 1.45 pm. Areas served are Dorchester town within the Dorchester By-pass (area 5) and villages around Dorchester from Crossways to the East, Charlton Down to the north and Charminster in the west (area 4).

Costs and charges

The first passenger contribution which you pay will include a 'one-off' charge of £1 which is a joining fee to help cover some of the initial administration costs.

The cost of your journey will vary depending on where you live. The Dial-A-Bus service can be used by people living in the following areas:

Area 1:

Covers the Isle Portland. The cost of a single journey to Weymouth town centre from Portland is £1.50 with a return fare of £3.

Area 2:

Covers the outskirts of Weymouth including Upwey, Broadwey, Preston, Overcombe, Chickerell and Wyke Regis. The cost of a single fare from these locations to Weymouth town centre is £1.25 with a return fare of £2.50.

Area 3:

Covers central Weymouth including Westham, Southill, Rodwell and parts of Radipole. The cost of a single fare to Weymouth town centre is £1 with a return fare of £2.

Area 4:

Covers the villages of Stratton, Charminster, Charlton Down, Broadmayne, Crossways and dwellings en route to Dorchester, but outside of the boundary provided by the Dorchester bypass. The cost of a single journey from this area is £1.25 with a return fare of £2.50.

Area 5:

Covers the area within the boundary provided by the Dorchester bypass. The cost of a single fare from this area is £1 with a return fare of £2

Weymouth to Dorchester:

The cost of a single fare is £1.50 with a return fare of £3

Note: Genuine personal escorts are welcome to travel providing they board, and alight, at the same place as the passenger they are accompanying. All passengers, and their escorts, will be required to make an equal contribution towards the running costs of the scheme.

Booking and contact information

To join the Dial-A-Bus scheme you need to contact Dorset Direct on 01305 221059 and give details of your needs.  Dorset Direct will then send you an application form to join the scheme which must be signed by your GP or other professional carer.

You will need to return the completed application form to Dorset Direct and once it has been processed you will be able to make your first booking.

Bookings will be accepted on a 'first come, first served' basis, and should be made by 3.00pm on the day before you wish to travel.