ONE of the biggest shake-ups of local bus services in the last ten years will take place next month.

Yellow Buses have announced a major transformation of their services affecting all 22 routes bar four.

And while they have confirmed there will be no fare increases, it is not clear yet exactly what route changes there will be. A number of services are subsidised by local councils but other are not.

UPDATE: Although Yellow Buses say they cannot yet provide details of the timetables, all the new routes have been  registered.

If you go to Traveline and search under 'Yellow Buses' as operator, some of the new timetables appear under the existing timetables. We would very much appreciate your help highlighting any changes - email digital@bournemouthecho.co.uk to let us know how it affects your journey.

Eight colour coded lines will be introduced, with routes denoted by the first letter of the route name, followed by the service number. They include Bourne, Priory, Uni, Royal, Village, Coast, Dolphin and Heath.

The new network will focus on hubs including Royal Bournemouth Hospital and Bournemouth University with off peak connections to places such as Mudeford, Verwood and Ringwood also offered.

The changes will come into effect on January 15. Bus bosses hope the new routes will simplify the network and deal with congestion.

As well the changes to the routes, extra early morning and late night services are being introduced for shift workers in Bournemouth, Poole and Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

Journey times are also being revised to improve punctuality.

Yellow Buses’ managing director, Andrew Smith, said: “Everywhere our passengers travel to at the moment, they will be able to do in the future, in the majority of cases with the same or improved frequency and convenience.

“Understandably people will want to know how our new network will impact on their route or journey and this information will be available in the run-up to January 15.

“I can assure our passengers that the changes will not be accompanied by fare increases.”