Bus Users Shropshire has joined forces with Arriva Bus to promote the 519 bus between Shrewsbury and Newport in Telford and Wrekin.
The 519 bus operates 6 days a week between Shrewsbury and Newport via Roden, Higher Ercall, Tibberton and Edgmond. It has been chosen for a trial to encourage more passengers on board principally because it links two attractive destinations, Shrewbury and the market town of Newport. It also offers a ride through pleasant countryside, and is ideal for local walks from Haughmond Abbey and Edgmond and Newport.
The aim of the campaign initiated by Bus Users Shropshire (BUS) is to encourage more passengers to get on board. BUS has been impressed by the way in which most of the parish councils on the route and Newport Regeneration Partnership have rallied around to retain a Saturday service which they support financially. BUS also welcomes the continued work of Telford and Wrekin Bus Users Group in getting behind this service. Comments Harold Bound, Chairman of BUS:
“ People value this local service and we support this community approach wholeheartedly. At the same time, buses have greater potential to encourage trips to our High Streets without the hassle of parking. Newport is a lovely place to visit, and equally people might decide to travel into Shrewsbury for the day. We’ll be encouraging walking groups to use the bus to start walks from the villages too.”
In preparation, Arriva Bus has improved publicity by printing bus posters and timetable leaflets and BUS has produced a leaflet to encourage people to make a day tour starting from Shrewsbury although people from Telford can easily do the same using Arriva bus number 5.
Comments Jamie Crowsley, General Manager for Arriva Bus Shropshire:
“This is the second small scale marketing project we have undertaken with BUS and we are especially keen to encourage people on board the 519 bus. There are plenty of opportunities to travel to Newport, onward to Telford and Ironbridge on our buses and value for money day ticket makes it easy. ”
The project starts on June 3rd and will run for 6 months.
