A bus route is to run more frequently due to popular demand and thanks to a government cash injection.

BCP Council and Morebus have announced an improvement to the route 18 bus service, which runs to and from Broadstone, through Waterloo Estate, Canford Heath, Foxholes Estate, Newtown and Sea View, Upper Parkstone, Westbourne and Bournemouth town centre.

The route, which previously ran every hour, will now run every half an hour in the day-time, Monday to Saturday.

In addition, there will also be a new regular service running every two hours on the same route on Sundays.

The improved route 18 services will be operated by Morebus and has been made possible through BCP Council securing an £8.9m grant from central government, awarded specifically for improving bus services across the conurbation.

As a result of this funding, a second enhanced bus route will be launched in September this year, with the route 13 service between Bournemouth and Wimborne increasing its daytime frequency with a bus service every 20 minutes, instead of half an hour.

Bournemouth Echo: More bus passengers at stops in Bournemouth town centre.

Newly elected council leader Cllr Vikki Slade said: “We are really pleased to have been successful in securing this sizable grant from central government, which means we can offer a tangible improvement to people’s transport choices.

“As part of our Bus Service Improvement Plan and our commitment to transforming local travel, we want to increase the number of people choosing to travel by bus.

“To do this, we want to ensure that buses are more frequent, more reliable, cheaper, better co-ordinated and that routes and timetables are easier to understand and use.

“We will continue to apply for funding to support more bus routes so that every community in BCP can access public transport more easily.”

Morebus general manager Richard Wade, added: “Just one double decker bus has the potential to take up to 75 cars off our roads, so we strongly believe buses are the perfect solution for reducing congestion within our area.”

Passengers on this service will also benefit from the government’s £2 maximum single fair offer on all bus journeys, which it is hoped will be extended until October 31, 2023, once funding is agreed.

Accompanied children under seven can travel for free.