Improved bus services launch across towns

Peter and Anne said they were looking forward to using their bus passes on the additional services

Changes to bus services across Shropshire come into place on Saturday, increasing their frequency and improving connections in the wider area.

The number 64 bus from Market Drayton to Shrewsbury will run hourly, and include additional journeys to Hanley, Staffordshire.

A standalone park and ride service will start in Ludlow, as well as upgraded and new services covering the town.

“We hope this is just the start of many more improvements to the county’s bus network, if more money is made available," said Ian Nellins from Shropshire Council.

"As a Market Drayton resident I am very aware of the local need for a more regular bus service on the 64 route, and I’m sure that passengers and local people will welcome this change," he added.

Residents told BBC Radio Shropshire they were pleased about the change in Market Drayton.

Julie Tipton said she would use the bus more often

"For people to have a bus service every hour from Shrewsbury to Market Drayton... I would come more often," said Julie Tipton.

Anne and her husband are new to the area.

"We have a car at the moment but before long we won't, so if we know we can get to Shrewsbury, or close by, it will be much better," she said.

She and her husband, Peter have got their bus passes.

"It would be nice to be able to use it to get to Shrewsbury, we've not been there yet," he added.

New park and ride

Ludlow's park and ride service was previously integrated with the town centre bus network.

However, from Saturday, there will be an independent park and ride bus - number 722 - that will run from the Eco Park, providing an express shuttle to the railway station, Corve Street, and Ludlow Assembly Rooms.

Operating between 07:30 and 17:30 from Monday to Saturday, the fare will be £1 until the end of March 2025.

Additional services and changes are:

• The 701 north Ludlow service will accommodate journeys to Ludlow CE School

• A new 702 south Ludlow town service, which is an upgraded variant of the previous 722 service

• A combined 703 service between 12:00 and 14:00 in place of the 701 and 702 buses, which serves to cover driver breaks throughout the town across the day

The improvements across the county were made possible by £1.8m from the Department for Transport (DfT) to Shropshire Council.

It follows the submission of its updated Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) in July 2024.