Bard’s bus scheme piloted

Stagecoach Midlands is working with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) on a pilot scheme to provide a late-night bus service.

The service connects RSC’s hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon with Leamington Spa, Warwick and Coventry. The pilot is intended to test demand for new transport options to offer affordable and low carbon ways for people to enjoy the cultural events in the area.

Running on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays until 16 December 2023, the X18 service’s last bus will now leave from the Bridge Street bus stop at 10.30pm. The aim is to improve accessibility and connectivity of Stratford-upon-Avon for local residents, visitors, students and theatregoers.

“Giving people more travel opportunities opens up public transport to a wider audience” – Mark Whitelocks, Stagecoach Midlands Managing Director

Mark Whitelocks, Stagecoach Midlands Managing Director, said: “We are delighted to be running this additional evening service in partnership with the RSC. Giving people more travel opportunities opens up public transport to a wider audience. Passengers can see a show in Stratford-upon-Avon in the knowledge there will be a bus home at the end of the night.”

RSC Executive Director, Catherine Mallyon, said: “The RSC is so pleased to be leading this bus pilot with Stagecoach and hope it will enable more people to visit Stratford-upon-Avon and the RSC, in comfort, at convenient times, and with the confidence of choosing a more sustainable way to travel.”