View sought on local bus services due for review in 2027
Shropshire Council is inviting residents to share their views on a number of council-supported local bus services that are due to be reviewed and retendered in 2027.
The survey will help the council better understand how people use the services today, what works well, what could be improved, and what residents would like to see in the future.
The services included in the survey are currently supported by Shropshire Council and are approaching the end of their existing contracts. As part of the normal retendering process, the council will invite bus operators to bid to run the services from 2027 onwards.
The survey forms part of the early stages of that process and is intended to give residents an opportunity to help shape future service specifications before tender documents are prepared. No decisions have yet been made about any changes to the services included in the survey.
People taking part will be able to provide feedback on individual services, including how often they use them, what they value most, any barriers they face when travelling, and any improvements they would like the council to consider. The survey will also provide an opportunity to share wider comments about local bus services in Shropshire.
The services included in the survey are:
- Oswestry Town Services (400, 402, 403, 404)
- Oswestry School Service – 405
- Oswestry Town Service – 406
- Knighton – Ludlow – 738, 740
- Oswestry – Baschurch – Shrewsbury – 576
- Shrewsbury Town Service (Shrewsbury Bus Station – Reabrook) – 21
- Whitchurch Town Service – 205
- Four Crosses – Oswestry – 71
- Cefn-Y-Blodwel to Oswestry – 54
Rob Wilson, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for transport and regeneration, said:
“Local bus services are a lifeline for many people across Shropshire, particularly in our rural communities. Before we begin the formal retendering process for these services, we want to hear directly from the people who use them, rely on them, or would like to use them in the future.
“This survey is about listening to and understanding local needs. No decisions have been made about any changes to the services included, but the feedback we receive will help us better understand what matters most to residents as we develop future contract specifications.
“We know that budgets remain under pressure and that we must make the best possible use of the funding available. By taking part in the survey, residents can help us ensure that future services continue to meet the needs of communities across Shropshire.”
Feedback collected through the survey will be used alongside other information, including passenger usage data, operational requirements and available funding, to help inform the development of future contract specifications.
Responses will help ensure that the experiences and priorities of local residents are considered at the earliest possible stage of the retendering process.
The survey is now open for comment and closes on Friday 11 December 2026.
To find out more and take part, please visit the Shropshire Council website.
