First week free for festive night bus passengers

The trial service will operate between Mondays and Saturdays until midnight from 24 November to 23 December (generic image)

People can travel for free during the first week that a festive night bus runs in Shrewsbury.

The trial service, on three routes from 24 November to 23 December, followed "strong calls" from businesses, hospitality workers and evening visitors for better late-night transport, Shrewsbury Business Improvement District (BID) said.

The project, operating between Mondays and Saturdays until midnight, is funded by the Shrewsbury Big Town Plan Partnership involving Shropshire Council, the town council and Shrewsbury BID.

From the second week, fares will be £2 for adults and £1 for children under 16, with a ticket for groups of up to five for £5 on the Arriva-operated service.

Shropshire Council said concessions could travel for free, adding passengers could use their existing weekly or monthly Arriva bus passes on the service.

The scheme covers routes N11 (Bicton Heath), N25 (Harlescott) and N27 (Bayston Hill).

The service would encourage visitors "to stay longer and enjoy Shrewsbury's pubs, restaurants and venues, confident they can get home easily and safely", the council said.

Shrewsbury MP Julia Buckley stated she was "thrilled" to see the night bus launching this month, adding it would "make a huge difference".

She said: "Late-night transport has been a real concern raised with me by local people, particularly those working in hospitality or enjoying a night out in town."

Printed leaflets will be distributed across pubs, bars, restaurants and other venues, with timetables being added to bus stops along the night bus routes.