Shrewsbury Town FC confirm bus service will continue as others reviewed

Matchday bus services from the town centre to Shrewsbury Town’s Croud Meadow will continue this season - but the future of routes from further afield remains under review.

The club has confirmed supporters will still be able to travel to home matches via bus from Shrewsbury town centre after its contract with Arriva to operate the ST1 to ST4 services and agreement with Boultons for the ST5 and ST6 services came to an end.

Arriva said its fixed-term agreement had reached its “natural end”, prompting questions from supporters over whether matchday buses would continue.

The town centre shuttle service has been secured, but Shrewsbury Town are still exploring options for the remaining routes from Telford, Oswestry, Whitchurch and Wem, Ludlow, and Bishop’s Castle - with demand and cost both under consideration.

A club spokesperson said: “Shrewsbury Town will continue to provide town centre bus services, while we explore options for other routes based on demand and cost.

“As always, any decision we make will balance the needs of our supporters with the commercial interests of the football club.”

The ST1 to ST4 services linked the Croud Meadow with Shrewsbury town centre, Shirehall (ST1), Telford (ST2), Oswestry (ST3) and Whitchurch via Wem (ST4) for every Football League home fixture. Meanwhile, the ST5 and ST6 services ran directly to the football ground from Ludlow and Bishop’s Castle respectively.

Arriva said the routes were operated under a fixed-term contract specifically for Shrewsbury Town matchdays, with the club free to either appoint a new operator or agree a new deal.

The services have provided return travel for supporters, with buses departing around 10 minutes after the final whistle.

Shrewsbury begin the new season away at Salford City in the Carabao Cup on Saturday before opening their League Two campaign at Tranmere Rovers a week later.

Their first competitive home fixture is against Barnet on Saturday, August 22.