Newport Bus extends into Forest of Dean

Newport Bus is expanding its services into the Forest of Dean as of 3 June 2024.

The operator’s route 72 currently serves Lydney from Chepstow and will be extended to Mitcheldean via the Dean Heritage Centre and Cinderford, serving the new Forest of Dean Community Hospital.

In November 2022, Newport Bus started its partnership with Gloucestershire County Council when winning the tender for the Chepstow to Lydney bus service.

Route 72 is to be expanded from Monday 3 June. Between Cinderford and Steam Mills, the service will stop outside the new Forest of Dean Community Hospital. This is an important feature as many of the services of the current hospital in Lydney are moving to the new medical facility. The extension of the route restores a link via Soudley that has been lost since 2022.

Forest of Dean’s customers will benefit from some of the newest zero-emission electric buses in the Newport Bus fleet.

“This new service is a great addition to the Newport Bus network” – Alex Clarke, Commercial Officer at Newport Bus

Alex Clarke, Commercial Officer at Newport Bus, said: “This new service is a great addition to the Newport Bus network. Route 72 has seen growing passenger numbers since we took over in November 2022 and we hope it will continue to do so. We are pleased to be able to provide a convenient bus service to this stunning part of the country and to enable transport links for work, essential appointments, leisure and tourism.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming commuters and visitors alike on board our services.”

From 7 July 2024, Newport Bus’s expansion in the Forest will continue, with the operator beginning to run the current route 711, the Cinderford Service to The Pludds and Ruspidge.