On 21st July 2017 the 212 bus service was withdrawn. It connected Maiden Newton, Frampton, Grimstone, Stratton and Bradford Peverell with Charminster and Dorchester.

A Ring and Ride scheme was put in place to cover the period of the school holidays during August. A mini-bus left Maiden Newton at 07:45 and 10:00 on weekdays bound for Dorchester. Return trips were made at 13:00 and 17:45. Seats on all journeys had to be booked by 15:00 the previous day.

The September edition of The Chalk Stream benefice magazine carries a message from Three Valleys County Councillor Jill Haynes regarding the future of public transport through Stratton.

It reads, "There has not been a good take up of the services provided during the school holidays. The Maiden Newton Ring and Ride has made a loss of over £500 during the six week period. Although this has been covered by a short term grant from DCC (Dorset County Council) it is not sustainable in the long term.

Damory (the 212 bus operator) have now confirmed that the school service will not be open to the public. DCC cannot continue to provide either the early (07:45) or late (10:00) bus due to other school commitments. These buses will stop on the 1st September.

I have managed to get DCC to agree to continue with the 10am service to Dorchester and the 1pm return Monday to Friday for the month of September with a grant subsidy, but no longer. During this time the four parish councils (Maiden Newton, Frampton, Stratton and Bradford Peverell) will need to consider the long term position.

You will still need to ring 01305 228965 to book your seat as before and the price will remain the same; £2.50 each way and half price for under 16's. The bus WILL NOT take bus passes or concessionary fares and you MUST book in advance: by 3.00pm the day before or 3:00pm Friday for the Monday bus.

I am sorry that this is not better news but I will continue to work with the parish councils to see what can be done to support those with transport difficulties."