irst Dorset has announced it will again be operating an almost full bus service next Monday 10 February 2014, the day on which drivers belonging to the Unite trade union in Weymouth and Bridport have called a second one day strike.
Following talks with Unite last week, First offered a revised pay offer. This offer was fully recommended by the union, but was then rejected by the membership in a ballot. As a result, the membership called for the day of action on Monday.
Again, First has made extensive contingency plans to ensure normal timetables operate on its services 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 47 and 387 which serve Weymouth, Portland, Dorchester, Poole, Bridport and Yeovil.
Service 31 will be running a full service between Dorchester South Station to Axminster between 0700hrs and 1900hrs. Customers travelling to and from Weymouth should use Service 10 and change buses at Dorchester.
First also says all school and college buses are also scheduled to operate. These will include Service 753 from Beaminster Square leaving at 0720hrs and arriving at Weymouth College at 0837hrs. The return Service 753 journey will leave Weymouth College at 1705hrs and will arrive in Beaminster Square at 1825hrs.
One Service x53 will run during the day leaving Lyme Regis Post Office at 0640hrs going via Weymouth College will arrive at Weymouth King Statue at 0814hrs.
Single fares between Weymouth, Dorchester and Portland will be £1.50 throughout the day and £3 for a day ticket. The £1.50 single is a special fare for the day as is the £3.00 ticket which normally works in the local Weymouth area. However, First has extended it to cover the same area as the Weymouth Plus ticket for the day of the strike only.
Commenting, Marc Reddy, Managing Director, First Hampshire, Dorset & Berkshire, says:
“While it is disappointing and frustrating that again, some of our drivers have chosen to go on strike, we’ve worked behind the scenes and I am pleased we are able to operate practically a full service on Monday.
“We are also well aware that with further bad weather including storms and severe gales forecast this weekend, our services may be affected by the aftermath of this including flooded roads and fallen trees.
“To meet the travelling needs of our customers, we continue to do everything we can to run services as normal and minimise any impact. We will also keep customers informed through the website, Twitter and Facebook about any further changes to their services which may occur.”
Customers should check the website on Monday http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/dorset/ before starting their journey or get updates on services throughout the day via Twitter on www.twitter.co.uk/dorset or through the dedicated Facebook page, www.facebook.com/FirstinDorset