Update on Ludlow bus services

Following a recent tender process for an operator of the Ludlow town and park and ride bus services, Shropshire Council has learned there are now two local operators who will be operating services on a fully commercial basis.

These registrations will both take effect on 2 September 2013.

As indicated by copies of registrations received and published through the office of the Traffic Commissioner for the West Midlands, these services will see the continuation of elements of the current town service and park and ride by both R+B Travel and Minsterley Motors.

As both of these operations are registered on a commercial basis, Shropshire Council is not allowed under law to continue subsidising services alongside these. 

The council is pleased to see that the service timetables registered by both operators will ensure a continuing town and park and ride service on very similar timings and routes to the current contracted operation.

As these services are outside of a Shropshire Council contract, matters such as fares and ticket offers will be matters for the operator.  Given that both of these operations will be registered local bus services, however, holders of concessionary bus passes on grounds of either age or disability will continue to be able to travel for free.

Timetable and fare information for users of these services will be available both through the operators (contact details below) and also through updated timetable information both at the current roadside bus stop inserts and online through the Travel Shropshire bus timetable service from 2 September 2013 when the service changes take effect.

Minsterley Motors can be contacted on 01743 791208, and R+B Travel is on 01584 890770.

Councillor Claire Wild, Cabinet member for transport, said:

“It’s good news that two operators are willing to provide services in Ludlow, and we hope this will lead to improved services for local people.”

Shropshire Councillor for Ludlow North, Rosanna Taylor-Smith, said:

“As chairman of the Sustainable Transport Committee and Councillor for Ludlow North, I have been working with officer colleagues to get improvements to the Ludlow Town bus service for several months.  From listening to passengers, it was apparent that the bus services provided could be improved in terms of reliability, accessibility and comfort.  This is particularly important given the potential relocation of the GP surgeries and hospital to the Eco-Park.”