GHA taking on Arriva routes

GHA Coaches has been awarded four local bus service contracts in Shrewsbury and Shropshire. Currently operated by Arriva Midlands, the tenders include Shrewsbury town services 21, 23 and 26 and interurban service 511 between Shrewsbury and Whitchurch, which will require six vehicles and create 12 extra driving jobs at GHA’s Shrewsbury depot. The 511 will link up to routes 72, 73,146 and 205 in Whitchurch offering passengers onward journeys to Wrexham, Chester, Crewe and Nantwich. The contracts start in June and last for five years.

GHA Coaches General Manager, Stephen Bryce, said, ‘We purchased Shropshire Bus and Coach to not only consolidate our existing operations in the county, but to have a permanent base from which to expand our network in Shropshire. We were disappointed not to have been successful in winning the contract to run Shrewsbury park and ride, but we have taken a positive step forward in tendering for the 511 service and the three Shrewsbury town centre services. It is our aim to provide local people with a friendly and reliable service when we take over the running from 1 June. We already operate several services into both Whitchurch and Shrewsbury and the new Shropshire County Council tenders will help us to further grow our network. We are looking to review our routes in Shropshire and introduce Sunday services where demand justifies. Our review will be in time for the summer.’