A SERVICE to replace the D1 bus from Warminster to Salisbury has been found after the route route was dropped by the provider.

Wiltshire Council has contracted in Warminster’s Beeline Coaches to operate this new service – number 24 – between Warminster and Salisbury from January 31.

First West of England will provide a service on that route until January 30 and thereafter will continue to run its D1 service north of Warminster.

The new service will be operated by modern, wheelchair accessible buses, and the timetable has been designed to give passengers the opportunity to transfer to and from the service D1 at Warminster if they wish to travel on further.

If people have already purchased a ticket or pass from the First West of England bus company for use on the D1 service beyond January 30, they will continue to be accepted on the new service for the time being.

However, once the new service starts people are asked not to purchase any further tickets from First West of England for use on service 24, unless they need to travel on the D1 bus service as well.

Concessionary bus passes will continue to be accepted, and on weekdays they can be used to travel on service 24 after 8.45am.

Cabinet member for transport, Dr Mark McClelland said: “We’re delighted to have secured Beeline Coaches to take on the running of this service, and I’m sure this is welcome news for those who regularly travel that route.

“Many people schedule their lives around a bus timetable so any disruption or changes can really have a negative impact.

“I’d like to thank my team for securing these arrangements so quickly and ensuring there’s no gap in service.”