Shropshire Council is to extend its financial support for a number of under-threat bus services from March 31, including one between Ellesmere and Oswestry.
In March and September 2022 the council agreed to support a number of both commercial and subsidised services that Arriva and other operators wanted to amend or withdraw amid falling numbers of fare-paying passengers.
The 53 bus route from Ellesmere to Oswestry is among those services that will continue operating whilst the council explores other options to support services.
The council was overlooked for Levelling Up Funds (LUF) from the Government that would have allowed it to reshape the county's bus network.
Ian Nellins, Shropshire Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for public transport, said: "Whilst finding any additional funding to support bus services within Shropshire is extremely difficult in the current financial climate, I’m pleased that we are able to further extend our support for these services – which will ensure they continue to operate beyond the end of March.
“We’re extremely disappointed that our LUF bid wasn’t successful but we remain determined to implement our plans for improving public transport across the county, and we’re working hard to identify ways to do this, and to source funding that will enable to do so.
"I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to make further announcements soon.
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"We will also continue to lobby the Government with our bus operators for the funding that we need to make bus services a realistic option as a first choice of travel across Shropshire."
The additional support has been agreed while Shropshire Council considers ways to achieve its ambitions for improving public transport that were included in its recent, unsuccessful bid for government levelling-up funding.
This includes identifying other funding that may be available to help achieve these aims.
The LUF bid included plans for demand-responsive buses, and for transforming Shrewsbury’s park and ride service.
For more information on which other buses in Shropshire will benefit from the council's boost visit https://newsroom.shropshire.gov.uk/2023/02/further-support-save-under-threat-bus-services/
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