Shrewsbury park and ride set to run more frequently after residents ask for better service
Shrewsbury's park and ride service could see buses running more frequently with proposals for five buses an hour compared to three.
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Shropshire Council's cabinet will be asked to agree improvements to the service at a meeting next week.
Proposals are for buses to run every 12 minutes, rather than every 20 minutes as at present.
If plans are approved, the cash-strapped local authority said improvements could come into effect as early as June this year.
The change would apply to buses operating from all three of Shrewsbury’s park and ride sites in Harlescott, Meole Brace and Oxon.
Shropshire Council said the increase in frequency would be funded by an allocation of government bus improvement funding for 2025/26.
The local authority added that funding will also be spent on improvements to other bus services and infrastructure across the county, with details set to be announced soon.
In the council’s recent budget consultation, residents were asked if they supported suspending the park and ride service to save money - or increasing the frequency of trips to help grow user numbers and income.
The council said "many people said they would like to see an improved service".
The recommendation is included in a report summarising the outcome of the budget consultation - a report that will also be submitted to the council’s transformation scrutiny committee on Tuesday (February 11).
Shropshire Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member with responsibility for public transport, Ian Nellins, said: "I’m pleased that people who responded to the consultation supported the continuation of the park and ride service, and acknowledge the need for improvements to encourage more people to use it.
"Increasing the frequency of buses to one every 12 minutes - or five an hour - will mean a better, more reliable service and one that we hope people will use and support.
"Park and ride really is a great way to travel in and out of Shrewsbury. By using park and ride you won’t have the worry of finding or paying for a parking space, and will help to keep the town centre free of congestion and unnecessary traffic."
Shropshire Council also confirmed that a special £1 return offer from all three park and ride sites will end on March 31 as planned.
