BUS operators in north Dorset have accused county chiefs of taking the wrong route in managing services and predict even more cuts to the service in the future.

Their criticisms are partly aimed at new legislation governing drive time and training being introduced next year.

The rest of their discontent focuses on a planned change in the way the county authority hands out routes to operators.

Matthew Callow, commercial manager of Wilts & Dorset, said: "The people who provide good background services are having to pull out of it, and the relationship between operators and the county council seems to have broken down.

"The county's £2m subsidy for public transport does not pay for a lot of buses and bundling all the contracts together is the wrong way to handle a delicate rural economy."

Ian Gray of Damory Coaches said: "There has been a sea change in the way contracts are going to be procured in Dorset, and it will be problematic for all operators because of the hoops we will have to jump through. Resources need to be better managed."

But Dave Dawkins, manager of the combined passenger transport unit at Dorset, said: "We're not guilty.

"The legislation is national and not of our doing.

"The government is introducing these new regulations to improve quality and standards.

"It will keep a check on the route lengths drivers are being asked to drive, their hours of work and their training. Bus operators say that all this will add to their costs.

"But we are also changing the way we package the market. In the past the operators would take the lead and we respond to them, but now the emphasis will switch."

He agreed that some operators not willing to change would lose out but added that any operator with "an eye on the future" should call Gary Coleman on 01305 221266.