New bus timetables for Ludlow are due to begin 27 October

A month later than we had hoped, new bus timetables for the 701 (North Ludlow), 702 (South Ludlow) and 722 (park and ride) will come into effect on 27 October. The delay has been due to the need to get the best timetables we could devise without extra money and to get agreement from all parties. Finally, it takes six weeks to get approval for the timetable changes from the Traffic Commissioners.

There will be no route changes as they work well. The 701 and 702 will run every 45 minutes, the 722 every 30 minutes. All services will serve Ludlow School.

The long gaps in service for lunch breaks will be eliminated on all three routes, including the 75 minute break on the 722 during lunch. That is the longest break of any park and ride service in the country. The 702 will cover the 722 during the driver’s breaks. The 722 will cover the 702 service when on a break. The 738/740 Knighton service will cover the 701 when that service is on a break.

701 North Town service. This will run every 45 minutes. First bus 08:00 from Rocks Green. Last bus from Ludlow Assembly Rooms 17:15 terminating on return journey opposite the Compasses.

702 South Town bus service. This will run every 45 minutes. First bus 08:00 from the Eco Park park and ride. Last bus 17:15 from Ludlow Assembly Rooms terminating on return journey opposite the Compasses.

722 Park and Ride. This will run every 30 minutes. First bus 08:00 from the Eco Park is the 702 and will call at Ludlow School. Last bus from Ludlow Assembly Rooms at 17:40.

I would have liked later buses on the 701 and 722 services but we just can’t do that without spending more money. Many people want a return to 30 minute frequency on town services. That never worked. Buses would run late and the next run would be skipped. Drivers ended up exhausted trying to keep up. The operation was barely legal.

We have done the best we can with the resources we have. The Conservatives made a complete mess of the last timetables which were implemented without consultation with Ludlow councillors. This time, all three Shropshire Councillors for Ludlow have worked to make the timetables as good as they can be.

These timetables will be in place for a year. The bus contract for Ludlow will be retendered next year. Given that the government has only given a measly £3 million over three years for extra support for Shropshire’s buses, I am not expecting huge improvements. I would like to see the oversize park and ride bus replaced by a smaller bus that runs more frequently. The size of the bus is because the last administration applied a one size fits all to the county. Our new administration needs to be different. We are working on that.