BID says bus changes will hit town hard

The day before a planned protest march in Shrewsbury, Shrewsbury BID has said that Shropshire Council's proposals are 'short-sighted'.

In a letter to Steve Brown, head of infrastructure and communities at Shropshire Council, Mike Matthews, chair of the BID and its chief executive director Seb Slater, said: "The Shrewsbury Park & Ride has suffered from cuts in recent years resulting in a service which is not regular or reliable enough; or a positive enough experience for visitors and workers in our town.

"The substantial pricing increases proposed - to meet a modest savings target of £50,000 without making any improvements to the service - would be detrimental to the town centre economy and its reputation for access - which is already a challenge for the county town.

"Ticket prices are a big factor for people using transport, something which was clearly demonstrated when Shrewsbury BID funded free travel on Wednesdays over Christmas which resulted in a 38 per cent increase in passenger numbers."

The BID believe that increasing the standard fare, removing the concessionary pass discount and removing the group ticket would effectively incentivise people to drive into the town centre, or may even put them off visiting completely.

The letter adds: "Our members are particularly concerned by the removal of the group ticket which contradicts and undermines the hierarchy of the new car parking strategy introduced in November.

"Without a group ticket, it would be the same price for two people to drive and park in the town centre all day rather than using the Park and Ride - clearly counterproductive to the Council’s aim of reducing town centre congestion and pollution.

"The proposed 25 per cent increase in standard price is too great a rise, and we are concerned that removing the concessionary pass discount would reduce passenger numbers and negatively impact footfall in the town centre.

"Overall we believe the proposals to be short-sighted and we are concerned that the wider economic impact hasn’t been considered - we call on you to rethink the policy."

The pair have asked for a meeting with Mr Brown to discuss the situation as soon as possible.

The march, which sets off from the Square at 11am today (SAT), has been organised by Shrewsbury cafe owner Gwen Burgess.

A consultation regarding changes to both the Park & Ride and rural and urban bus provision runs until May 6.

So far concerns have been raised by bus user groups, town councils, business leaders and headteachers that changes to the service could lead to isolation of the young and elderly and be detrimental to the local economy.