Arriva Midlands Shrewsbury depot, 100% low floor

Bus travel in and around Shrewsbury has been boosted following the introduction of a quartet of easy access, low-floor buses for routes 64 (Shrewsbury – Market Drayton) and 164 (Market Drayton – Newcastle – Hanley) running up to every 60 minutes daytime Monday to Saturday with connecting fares in Market Drayton.

Along with the introduction of the four buses the operations from Shrewsbury depot are now 100% easy access, low-floor – well in advance of the 2016 deadline for DDA compliance.

The vehicles, which have received a make-over in Arriva’s central workshops, were officially unveiled by Simon Jones, cabinet member responsible for passenger transport at Shropshire Council and Andy Pearce, General Manager at Arriva Midlands Shrewsbury Depot.

The buses deliver a range of benefits, including CCTV, low floors for easy access and will be fitted with free Wi-Fi – ideal for bus users to catch up on a little more work or with friends.

Any Pearce said: “We are committed to providing a well run, reliable service across all of our routes in the local communities that we operate in.

“The provision of these buses along our routes 64 and 164 service will not only increase capacity, but make it easier and more comfortable for passengers to travel with us, providing them with an improved overall journey experience.”

Cllr Simon Jones, said: Councillor Simon Jones, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for passenger transport, said: “This is the final service in Shropshire to have low floor, easily accessible buses and I am keen to work with Arriva to promote this service.

“To celebrate we’ve launched a competition to name these four new buses with children from two schools on the route – Shawbury and Hodnet.”