GHA Coaches has been awarded four local bus service contracts which will start in June 2016 for a period of five years.
The tenders are currently operated by Arriva Midlands and include Shrewsbury town services 21, 23 and 26, along with interurban service 511 between Shrewsbury and Whitchurch. The contracts will require six vehicles, for which GHA will be employing 12 extra drivers at its Shrewsbury depot.
The 511 will link up to services 72, 73,146 and 205 in Whitchurch, offering passengers onward journeys to Wrexham, Chester, Crewe and Nantwich.
Stephen Bryce, GHA Coaches General Manager, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the work by Shropshire County Council.
“We purchased Shropshire Bus and Coach to not only consolidate our existing operations in the county, but to have a permanent base from which to expand our network in Shropshire.
“We were disappointed not to have been successful in winning the contract to run Shrewsbury Park & Ride, but we have taken a positive step forward in tendering for the 511 service and the three Shrewsbury town centre services.
“It is our aim to provide local people with a friendly and reliable service when we take over the running from June 1.
“We already operate several services into both Whitchurch and Shrewsbury and the new Shropshire County Council tenders will help us to further grow our network.
“We are looking to review our routes in Shropshire and introduce Sunday services where demand justifies. Our review will be in time for the summer.”
