Telford & Wrekin Council has approved plans to ensure its bus services will continue to improve travel and connectivity in the region
DENNIS
As part of its ongoing commitment to improving public transport, Telford & Wrekin Council says it is moving forward with plans to invite bids for new services, due to start in summer 2025. The improvements will be supported by a £3.5 million of government funding and will support infrastructure improvements such as additional bus shelters and expanded real-time passenger information.
More than 420,000 trips have been taken on seven new routes since their introduction in December 2022, the council says, helping to boost connectivity, especially in rural areas and less accessible parts of the borough. New routes and affordable fares have been the backbone of the services, it says, which have been informed by passenger feedback. The latest contracts will consider the results of a second public survey including the views of more than 350 residents.
Councillor Ollie Vickers, Cabinet Member for the Economy at Telford & Wrekin Council, said: “We are proud of the progress we’ve made over the past two years, building a well-connected, efficient transport system that meets the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors alike, along with our continued focus on affordable fares, new routes, and improved services well into the future.
“We have been calling for more government funding into bus travel and it seems our voice has been heard. The decision at Cabinet is another step towards services having more positive impacts on thousands of residents. We remain committed to ensuring our network evolves, supports sustainable growth and allows people to be more connected and environmentally friendly.”
The Council says it will continue to engage with stakeholders to improve services, reflecting its innovative approach to transport provision, examples of which include the introduction of demand responsive travel (DRT) services, alongside 50p fare promotions during December and January to encourage new users. The council has also maintained the £2 fare cap following the national rise to a £3 cap across England.
It has also introduced a Citymapper app that has been developed for Telford and Wrekin which provides live bus and train arrival times around the borough as well as for onward journeys. As part of its commitment to environmental sustainability, the Council says it will continue to prioritise the use of solar-powered bus shelters and the potential future use of electric buses, alongside efforts to reduce carbon emissions, as part of its goal to become carbon neutral by 2030, with the bus network playing a key role in reducing the borough’s carbon footprint.
