New community transport scheme being launched in south west Shropshire next week - full details

More information has been provided about a new community transport scheme that is being launched in south west Shropshire next week.

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Shrewsbury Dial-a-Ride is in essence taking over the 745 bus that will be withdrawn.

The service, operating between Pontesbury, Bishop’s Castle, Clun, Craven Arms and Ludlow, had been supported by Shropshire Council since the Covid-19 pandemic, using central government revenue funding.

However, the unitary authority said that Minsterley Motors had made a commercial decision to withdraw the service from next month due to rising operating costs.

The decision led to a lot of residents fearing they would be isolated, especially in Clun where the 745 was the town’s only bus service.

However, Shropshire Council and Shrewsbury Community Transport Initiative (operating as Shrewsbury Dial-a-Ride) have worked together to launch a new community transport service designed to help rural communities stay connected to the services they rely on.

Starting on Wednesday, September 2, the Three Castles Shuttle service is set to operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and will initially run as a two-year pilot scheme.

Unlike a traditional bus service, the Three Castles Shuttle will be a Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) service. This means passengers can book their journeys in advance, allowing the service to respond to local demand while making the best use of available resources.

The fare for non-concessionary passengers is £3 per single journey or £6 for a return.

The Three Castles Shuttle timetable – outward and return journeys

Bishop’s Castle (adjacent to Boars Head) – 09.30/14.25

Colebatch (adjacent to crossroads) – 09.35/14.20

Clun (adjacent to Ford Street junction) – 09.45/14.05

Clunton (opposite Crown Inn) – 09.53/14/02

Little Brampton (adjacent to crossroads) – 09.55/14.00

Lydbury North (adjacent to church) – 10.05/13.50

Aston on Clun (opposite Kangaroo Inn) – 10.18/13.37

Long Meadowend (adjacent to crossroads) – 10.20/13.35

Craven Arms Hotel – 10.25/13.30

Ludlow Assembly Rooms – 10.40/13.15

How to book

Call 01584 700907 between 9.30am and 3pm Monday to Friday.

Email [email protected] and provide your name, the day you’d like to travel (Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Saturday), the bus stop you’d like to travel from, and whether you have a concessionary bus pass.

Online via shrewsburydialaride.org.uk/threecastlesshuttle

Passengers who book in advance will be given priority if demand for the service exceeds the number of seats available on the day of travel.

It is a non-cash service, so payments must be made electronically. You can ask your driver for payment details.

All bookings must be made at least 24 hours before travel, with regular and weekly bookings welcome.