Dorset Council funds bus service for military families to support access to local amenities

September 18, 2026

Members of the Armed Forces community living on a military garrison faced difficulties accessing essential services due to a reduced bus service into town.

What was the situation?

At a quarterly meeting of the Local Authority Armed Forces Covenant Committee, representatives of military families highlighted growing concerns about transport access for families living on a military garrison. Changes to public transport had led to reduced bus services to the garrison.

As a result, many military families without access to their own vehicle had difficulties reaching essential local services or necessary appointments. For example, healthcare appointments, shops, employment opportunities, and social activities. Some families reported relying on taxi journeys costing more than £15 each way. This created a significant financial burden, especially on partners and younger family members who needed to travel into town.

What made this Covenant disadvantage?

While civilians can usually choose where they live, members of the Armed Forces community are often required to reside in specific locations. This is frequently on or near remote military bases. This can make it more challenging for them to access essential local services than civilians.

What was done to help?

Dorset Council gathered feedback from military families and local stakeholders, and recognised the need to provide a reliable and affordable transport solution connecting the garrison with local services. Working with local partners and drawing on Covenant priorities, the council secured funding through its community transport fund to support a pilot bus service between the garrison and the local town.

What was the outcome?

The scheduled bus service provided a reliable and affordable transport option for military families living at the garrison. It helped to:

• Reduce financial pressures on them by providing a low-cost alternative to taxi journeys.
• Improve their access to healthcare appointments, shopping and banking facilities, and other essential amenities.
• Improve their access to employment, training and volunteering opportunities.
• Reduce social isolation, particularly for non-driving partners and family members who previously had limited opportunities to travel independently.
• Provide greater independence for family members who no longer needed to rely on others for transport.
• Increase their participation in wider community life, enabling military families to attend local events, support groups, children’s activities, and community services.
• Strengthen integration between military and civilian communities, helping military families feel more connected to the area in which they lived and served.

By responding directly to concerns raised through the Armed Forces Covenant Committee, Dorset Council and its partners demonstrated how targeted local action can help address disadvantages experienced by Armed Forces families and improve their access to everyday services.

Wider information

You can read more widely about:

• Covenant disadvantage and special provision (the two types of case study in this database)
• How local authorities can support the Armed Forces community and implement the Covenant

Disclaimer: This case study is part of the Covenant case study database. MOD has developed the database to illustrate examples of good practice for organisations in scope of the Covenant. It serves as a guide for effective Covenant delivery, offering practical insights into achieving fairness for the Armed Forces community. Delivery of the Covenant may vary across the UK. This means there is no guarantee the solution outlined in this case study is available in your area.