£200k “boost” for bus services in Wrexham as Arriva Bus Wales awarded contract

Local communities will benefit from improved evening bus services thanks to a £200k investment from Wrexham Council.

The funding was approved by the council’s Executive Board in July to help boost public transport for local residents, and stimulate the local bus market which has been struggling since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Following a procurement exercise, Arriva Bus Wales has been awarded a contract to provide the extra services.

The company will provide additional evening and Sunday journeys to some of its existing routes in the Wrexham area, with the changes set to come in towards the end of November.

Councillor David A Bithell, Lead Member with responsibility for Strategic Transport, said: “I’m delighted we’re announcing improved evening bus services in Wrexham. This is good news for local people and for the local economy.

“The council’s administration supported an additional £200k investment into bus services in this year’s budget, supporting public transport and our decarbonisation plan.

“We’re committed to supporting public transport and our announcement goes against the trend in Wales where we’re seeing service reductions.

“We tested the market via our procurement procedure and I’m delighted Arriva has been awarded a contract for additional bus services.

“These new evening services will be introduced by November 26 – or earlier if approved by the traffic commissioner – and we’re working with Arriva to promote them in advance so everyone is aware and can make different travel choices.

“The areas we’re focusing on support existing routes where we have no evening or weekend services, and we hope this will make a real difference to many local people and communities.”