Work Express bus service developed

A new ‘Work Express’ bus service is being developed by Telford & Wrekin Council with a tender published for a new provider.

The new route is in direct response to a review of services carried out in 2021 where residents expressed a need for better links to employment sites. 

The new route from Madeley to Wellington, calls at Halesfield, Stafford Park and Hortonwood. 

It forms part of the council’s ‘On Your Side’ programme, aimed at supporting residents travelling to these areas with cheaper alternatives to private cars - particularly amidst the cost of living crisis. 

Deputy leader and cabinet member for Housing, Enforcement and Transport, Councillor Richard Overton said: “Getting to and from work and the costs associated with it are taking a chunk out of many household budgets and this service will go some way in firstly helping people get to work in an affordable way and hopefully open up new employment opportunities for those who may have previously struggled to get to the sites.

“We approached the Government for funding as part of our overall bus service improvement plan and disappointingly Telford & Wrekin Council weren’t allocated any money at all. As a council we cannot stand by so are funding the improvements ourselves.”

Despite no national funding, a number of new routes are being funded by the council including:

• Madeley to Wellington and Princess Royal Hospital via Dawley and Lawley
• High Ercall to Wellington via Alscott and Wrockwardine/Wellington to Ellerdine via Leegomery
• Tibberton to Wellington via Newport, Donnington and Priorslee

The routes were identified within the BSIP as areas in need of improved bus provision and are being tendered alongside the ‘Work Express’. It is hoped that these new services will be key to delivering improvement in public transport for people travelling to work and school. 

The Council put in place a Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) in October 2021 that set out ambitious plans to improve bus services in the borough for residents. 

Pictured: Councillor Richard Overton