Longden Bus Service
A new on-demand bus service will be launched by Shropshire Council on 4th December 2023. The service will replace the 544 (Shrewsbury to Lyth Hill) and 546 (Shrewsbury to Pulverbatch) Arriva services. (Article by Cllr R Evans)
Published: 17 October 2023
A new on-demand bus service is set to begin operating in our area from 4th December This will be the first one in Shropshire and during the next few years more will be added.
Operated by Shropshire Council, Shropshire Connect On-Demand will replace the 544 (Shrewsbury to Lyth Hill) and 546 (Shrewsbury to Pulverbatch) bus services.
Various press releases have been published giving various dates, but this is the latest information that I have. Further updates will be added as when I know them.
It has been decided that those wanting to use a bus will be able to book a journey by app or by phone, choosing both where they wish to be picked up and where they want to be dropped off. Block bookings will be accepted, for example if regular transport is needed to work or school.
The service will operate from 7.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Saturday. Single journeys will cost £2 for passengers over 19, £1.50 for those aged 5 to 19, with under-5s travelling for free. Concessionary passes, and school bus passes, will be accepted.
A trial period for this first phase of the on-demand service will begin during the next few weeks and run until the first week of December. During this period, the service will operate alongside the existing 544 and 546 Arriva services – with passengers offered a free trial.
In the first week of December (the ‘go live’ date) the on-demand service will become fully operational and will fully replace the 544 and 546 services.
I hope the new service will offer pick up and drop off points, when requested, in Exfords Green.
I had hoped to organise some public meetings to inform residents what was being proposed and also listen to any concerns. Provisional bookings had been made but these had to be cancelled due a lack of information and the failure of others to confirm what the arrangements would be, this included making a decision concerning when the service would be operational.
Dates for the roadshow(s) will be published soon. They will also include a chance to see – and sit on – the new buses, and to find out more about using the new service.
Roger Evans
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