MOREBUS has announced its popular route 13 service will now run every 20 minutes in the daytime.

The service from Bournemouth to Wimborne via Winton and Ferndown has been enhanced with extra journeys from Sunday, February 18. 

More than 90,000 additional passenger journeys were taken on Route 18 in the first six months, which is a significant rise of more than 219 percent.  

Morebus and BCP Council brought in the changes after £8.9m of extra funding from the government's bus service improvement plan.

Bournemouth Echo:

The number 13 service is the second route to be improved under the scheme, with route 18 (Broadstone and Canford Heath to Bournemouth) increasing in frequency in June last year. 

Morebus managing director Andrew Wickham said: “We are also introducing some amendments to the service - which will now be known as the 13 and the 13a.

“Several new housing developments have arrived in Wimborne over recent years, so our route is changing in the town.”

Towards Wimborne, two buses an hour will turn left from Canford Bottom into Hayes Lane, and then turn right into Leigh Road - which is convenient for those in the residential area of Quarter Jack Park. 

The original route serving Colehill will be renumbered 13a with one bus per hour, with customers in Ferndown able to use both the 13 and 13a which will travel along the same route as before. 

“We have made these changes in response to customer feedback, and we expect them to be well-received,” added Andrew. 

“The 13 and 13a routes will prove popular among those living in, working in and visiting the area. They provide the perfect link between the towns - providing access to history, culture and fine dining in Wimborne - and of course everything that Bournemouth has to offer.”

Cllr Andy Hadley, portfolio holder for climate response, environment and energy at BCP Council, said: “This is a good example of our partnership working with Morebus as we continue to deliver improvements for passengers."