A new half-hourly bus service between Swanage and Durlston Country Park launched at the weekend.

The Durlston Bus began operating on Saturday 19 June, transporting visitors the steep mile between Swanage town centre and the 280-acre National Nature Reserve in comfort. It will run every 30 minutes between 10am and 5pm seven days a week as a summertime trial until Sunday 26 September.

The service is being run by Dorset County Council, which owns and manages the country park, in partnership with local transport operator, Discover Dorset.

The bus was launched by the Mayor of Swanage and county councillor, Bill Trite, who was joined - courtesy of actors from the Swanage Musical Theatre Company - by George Burt, the local 19th Century entrepreneur responsible for creating the Durlston estate, and his wife.

The bus picks up every half an hour from Swanage Pier, Swanage bus/train station and the main beach car park in Victoria Avenue.

Durlston Castle, the park's Grade II listed centrepiece built by George Burt, is currently undergoing a £5m pound transformation into a modern visitor centre. The new centre will mark the eastern gateway to the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and should be open for the summer in 2011. While the castle is closed for restoration, the park remains very much open for business, with a whole range of activities on offer for all and always something new to see throughout the changing seasons.

With the new bus, visitors will find it easier to enjoy a day-trip Swanage town centre and take in the wildlife, walks and views of Durlston. It will also connect with the range of existing transport into Swanage, including buses from larger towns like Bournemouth and Poole, the heritage Swanage Railway from Norden via Corfe Castle, and even passenger boats to the pier.
 
Cllr Bill Trite said:

''I have a close personal interest in local transport and I very much hope this bus will be a great success. The bus' links with other transport services, particularly Swanage Railway and the regular bus services means that, in theory, it is now possible to visit Durlston from virtually anywhere in Britain using public transport.

"The Durlston Bus will hopefully show that this type of service can provide a viable and more sustainable approach to transport at other sensitive sites along the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and beyond. It is also satisfying to be working so closely with the private sector through our partners at Discover Dorset.''

For more information about Durlston Country Park, go to www.dorsetforyou.com or www.durlston.co.uk