Brand new buses for the award-winning X53 Jurassic Coast route from Exeter to Poole were unveiled yesterday (23 July) in Lyme Regis.

The new buses are the latest development in a key tourist route developed by Devon and Dorset County Councils over ten years.

Dorset County Council cabinet portfolio holder for transport Cllr Col Geoffrey Brierley said: "The service is an outstanding example of two local authorities working together to achieve government objectives in providing sustainable transport to the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.

"Particular thanks must go to our colleagues in Devon who have worked so hard to develop this excellent bus service."

Devon County Council executive member for environment Cllr Margaret Rogers said: "The X53 goes from strength to strength and it clearly demonstrates the value of working in partnership. This route is now well established and has become very well used by locals and visitors to the Jurassic Coast.

"It is also used by people to get to work, college and the hospital in Exeter and forms a year-round link between many rural communities."

The service, to provide sustainable transport to the Jurassic Coast, started as an early use of Rural Bus Grant funding in 1998 with four second hand coaches.

It was upgraded and re-equipped with modern single deck buses following a successful Rural Bus Challenge funding bid in 2003. Double deckers followed the following year.

The latest development sees the arrival of seven new, improved double deck buses.  At any one time six vehicles will be in service with the other being retained as a spare.

The former X53 buses will be reliveried and transferred to the Axminster to Weymouth route 31 later in the year.

The X53 is highly regarded by local people and visitors. Two years ago both county councils and First were honoured by a prestigious Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport bus services award.

The service is extremely successful; buses are frequently full during the peak tourist season and discussions continue about possibilities to extend the service still further.