Campaigner calls for 'clarity' after pilot new style bus service launch is delayed
A campaigner has called for clarity after the launch of a new on-demand council-run bus service was quietly delayed.
Shropshire Council announced in May the new pilot Connect On-Demand scheme for areas in the south west of Shrewsbury where normal bus services are proving too costly for the county to subsidise.
It had announced it would be run from September, with people able to book via app or by phone.
It has been touted as a plan to "reinvigorate public transport in Shropshire" with the first services on electric buses replacing the under-threat 20 (Shrewsbury to Radbrook), 544 (Shrewsbury to Lyth Hill) and 546 (Shrewsbury to Pulverbatch).
Those bus services are fully funded by the council but have, over a period of time, seen a reduction in passengers.
The council hopes to introduce a similar service in and around the county’s 17 market towns, enabling people to access services locally or to connect with bus or rail for onwards travel – and to access the wider regional and national transport network.
In a recent press release detailing changes to bus services, the council announced that the launch of the service has been put back.
The release said; "In previous communication it has been mentioned that services 20 (Shrewsbury Bus Station to Radbrook Green), 544 (Shrewsbury Bus Station to Lyth Hill) and 546 (Shrewsbury Bus Station to Pulverbatch) would in September be operated on a flexible/on-demand basis.
"At this time, the current services will continue to operate in September as per the existing timetables operated by Arriva Midlands.
