Shropshire Council is inviting residents to share their views on 10 council-supported local bus services that are approaching the end of their existing contracts and will be retendered in 2027.

The survey aims to help the council understand how people currently use the services, what works well, what could be improved, and what residents would like to see in the future. No decisions have been made about any changes to the services included.

Which services are affected

The services included in the survey are:

  • Oswestry Town Services (400, 402, 403, 404)
  • Oswestry School Service (405)
  • Oswestry Town Service (406)
  • Knighton–Ludlow (738, 740)
  • Oswestry–Baschurch–Shrewsbury (576)
  • Shrewsbury Town Service, Shrewsbury Bus Station to Reabrook (21)
  • Whitchurch Town Service (205)
  • Four Crosses–Oswestry (71)
  • Cefn-Y-Blodwel to Oswestry (54)

What the council is asking

Residents taking part can provide feedback on individual services, including how often they use them, what they value most, any barriers they face when travelling, and improvements they would like the council to consider. The survey also provides an opportunity to share wider comments about local bus services in Shropshire.

Rob Wilson, Shropshire Council's Cabinet member for transport and regeneration, said: "Local bus services are a lifeline for many people across Shropshire, particularly in our rural communities. Before we begin the formal retendering process for these services, we want to hear directly from the people who use them, rely on them, or would like to use them in the future."

He added: "This survey is about listening to and understanding local needs. The feedback we receive will help us better understand what matters most to residents as we develop future contract specifications. We know that budgets remain under pressure and that we must make the best possible use of the funding available."

How feedback will be used

Feedback collected will be used alongside other information, including passenger usage data, operational requirements and available funding, to help inform the development of future contract specifications. The council will then invite bus operators to bid to run the services from 2027 onwards.

The survey closes on Friday 11 December 2026. Residents can find out more and take part on the Shropshire Council website.