Have your say about the new Shropshire Council Bus Strategy

People are being invited to have  their say about Shropshire Council’s new Bus Strategy 2017-2021.

A consultation into the draft strategy begins today (Tuesday 20 December) and runs until 13 February 2017.

Public transport provides access to essential services, especially for those more vulnerable and living in rural areas. Shropshire Council is facing considerable challenges and needs to set a strategy which ensures available budgets are spent in line with clearly defined local bus priorities.

Now Shropshire Council is asking for people’s views on a new bus strategy. This proposes a number of objectives and priorities which will determine how budgets are allocated across countywide services, and provide a robust process for decision making.

The proposed strategy can be viewed at http://new.shropshire.gov.uk/get-involved/  where there is also a link to an online survey and response form.

Alternatively, a paper copy of the strategy and consultation questionnaire can be obtained by contacting Mouchel Ltd on 01743 276300.

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

“The council fully appreciates fully the vital function that local bus services play within the lives of many Shropshire residents, and in supporting the economy of the county.  Whether these services be provided on a fully commercial, or on a contracted and council -subsidised basis, it is vital that the our future Bus Strategy recognises the opportunities and also the challenges that exist at this time.  The new Bus Strategy is intended to ensure that Shropshire’s bus network remains relevant to peoples transport needs, and can be provided within the council’s available budgets.

“I would urge all bus users and stakeholders to respond to this Bus Strategy consultation, in order to ensure that the final Strategy best reflects the needs of Shropshire’s communities and bus users.”

The public and stakeholder consultation will run until 13 February 2017. The collated consultation responses will be reported to Shropshire Council’s Cabinet, as was agreed in July 2016.