15/07/2016 - Permalink

Council steps in to save bus routes

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Update: Friday 15 July 2016 – 4.15pm

Shropshire Council has stepped in to save bus routes across Shropshire following the administration of GHA Coaches.

Council officers responded immediately following the announcement from the company which only came to light on Wednesday evening (13 July), affecting 11 key routes across the county.

All but one of the 11 routes have now been replaced, and officers are working with operators to ensure the remaining service is back in operation by early next week.

Routes affected included local bus services 436 Bridgnorth to Shrewsbury, 101 Bridgnorth Town service, 576 Oswestry to Shrewsbury, 96 Telford to Shrewsbury, 205 Whitchurch Town Service and 511 Whitchurch to Shrewsbury. A further two school transport buses the BA1028 Kinton to Corbet School and MW1057 Cound to William Brookes School and three Special Education Needs (SEN) school transport routes X11574 Harlescott/Castlefields , X11471 Shrewsbury (Coton Hill) X11603 Whitchurch – all to Severndale School, were also affected.

Working through Wednesday evening and early Thursday morning initially, officers have and continue to work with transport organisations to put emergency plans in place.

Replacement services began immediately with 6 out of the 11 bus routes taken on by Arriva, Lakeside Coaches and Caradoc Coaches the following day (Thursday 14 July) meaning there was no break in service.  Routes in operation include:

Operated by Arriva with effect from Thursday 14 July 2016

  • 436 Bridgnorth to Shrewsbury
  • 576 Oswestry to Shrewsbury
  • 96 Telford to Shrewsbury
  • 511 Whitchurch to Shrewsbury

Secondary school routes with effect from Thursday 14 July 2016

  • BA1028 – Kinton to Corbet School – now operated by Lakeside Coaches
  • MW1057 – Cound to William Brookes School –  now operated by Caradoc Coaches

All but one of the remaining routes will recommence on Monday 18 July. These include:

Special Educational Needs (SEN) routes to Severndale School

  • X11574 – Shrewsbury area: Harlescott, Ditherington and Castlefields to Severndale School – Operated by Shropshire Council’s fleet
  • X11471 – Shrewsbury area: Coton Hill, Coton Mount to Severndale School – Operated by Shropshire Council’s fleet
  • X11603 – Whitchurch area to Severndale School – Operated by Dave’s Travel of Wem.

Due to the complex needs of passengers on the SEN routes to Severndale School, officers have been putting plans in place to make sure the appropriate transport is available and to ensure the safeguarding of vulnerable pupils.

Other routes recommencing on Monday 18 July include:

  • 501 Ellesmere to Shrewsbury – operated by Lakeside Coaches
  • 205 Whitchurch Town Service – operated by Bennett’s Travel.

Simon Jones, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for highways and transportation, said:-

“We know how important it is for key bus services to be maintained as it provides a lifeline for many residents.

“I was greatly concerned that GHA Coaches had given us less than 24 hours’ notice about their services coming to an end. Passengers should not have been left ‘high and dry’ like this, and our staff have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure replacement services were put in place as soon as possible.

“I’m proud of the way our staff have responded to this situation and enabled us to act very quickly to maintain these links for passengers.”

Malcolm Pate, Leader of Shropshire Council, added:-

“Buses are a vital link for people who don’t have access to a car to get to and from work or school, to appointments and also to help people maintain their independence.

“I want to give a huge thanks to Councillor Jones, our staff and transport operators who’ve stepped in and worked tremendously hard to help maintain the routes for our local residents.”

Council officers will continue to work on the remaining 101 Bridgnorth Town Service to find an alternative provider as soon as possible.

These interim arrangements will continue until permanent arrangements are in place.

Further information

The council is providing emergency arrangements for the 501 Ellesmere to Shrewsbury route which will recommence on Monday 18 July 2016: this service will be operated by Lakeside Coaches. This service was commercially operated by GHA, and not one subsidised by the council.