PASSENGERS for the Chard-to-Dorchester bus route are being advised another one will be along shortly as the current service stops this week.

South West Coaches are poised to take over the route, which takes people from Chard and Crewkerne to the market town, but say they are just waiting for Transport Commission approval.

Steve Caine, Commercial Director of South West Coaches, said: “We have applied for the 202 route from Chard to Dorchester and we are going to take it on if we can. The sooner the better for passengers and for us and we believe we have the backing of Somerset County Council but there’s a handover time of 56 days.

“We have put in for a short notice application which allows us to start early if the Transport Commission ap-proves it and we’re doing everything possible to ensure a smooth transition.

“From passenger accounts we’ve heard that there are regularly 40 or more people on the bus, so we would look at introducing a 53-seater coach for the route to make it more comfortable for our customers.”

First Avon and Somerset withdrew from operating the 202 route yesterday (Tuesday).

A press release issued by the company claimed the move reflects changes in people’s travel patterns caused by a downturn in the economy.