WILTS and Dorset has snatched the contract from Yellow Buses to run bus services between Bournemouth University and locations across the borough.

Members of the general public will also be able to use the new Unilinx service, adding to the hundreds of thousands of tickets sold to campus students and staff on the existing routes each year.

Wilts and Dorset will operate the three former Yellow Buses routes for five years, and the increase in service has created 15 new driving jobs at the firm.

Charles Elder, press spokesman at the university, said: "We'd had no disputes or problems with Yellow Buses and thought the service they provided was good.

"But Wilts and Dorset are able to provide services outside of the Bournemouth area to places such as Salisbury and Dorchester.

"This, of course, is a better deal for students and staff wanting to get to locations not inside the borough."

Andrew Wickham, operations director at Wilts and Dorset, said: "The idea of opening the three Unilinx routes to the public will reduce costs for the university but ensures that the contract is viable to operate."

The cost of travelling on the three routes will be £1 for any journey, with additional discounts for return journeys and multi-journey tickets.

Service A runs from Alum Chine, via the Triangle, to Wallisdown.

Service B runs from Southbourne via Boscombe and Bournemouth, and C loops via the university, Boscombe, Charminster and Winton.

The 165 service, from Poole to Castlepoint via the university, can also under the contract be used by students.

"This new partnership with the university has created 15 new driver jobs and we are using eight newer Optare Spectra double decker buses," said Mr Wickham. "Four new buses are on order for the Unilinx service and delivery is expected late November."

Bill Bishop, who is head of operations at Yellow Buses, said: "Yes, we are disappointed but that's business."

First published: October 2