People living, working and socialising in Shrewsbury are being encouraged to make the most of the Shrewsbury Moves Night Bus, with just seven weeks left for the current trial to prove demand for an extended service.
The Night Bus service, which operates Wednesday to Saturday until midnight on routes N11, N25 and N27, will continue running throughout February and March 2026. In addition to the stops served during the first period of the trial, the Night Bus now serves Oxon Park & Ride.
Partners are urging residents and visitors to use the service and recommend it to friends, family and visitors, as passenger numbers and feedback will directly inform decisions about any future night-time transport provision in the town.
Since launching in November, the trial has carried more than 2,000 passengers, demonstrating local demand for safe, reliable late-night travel. Continued use during the remaining weeks will be crucial in shaping whether a longer-term Phase 3 Night Bus trial can be developed later this year.
The Night Bus trial is supported by funding from the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner’s Community Fund and forms part of a wider partnership approach to reducing crime and anti-social behaviour while improving safety after dark.
West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said:
“I am pleased to provide funding for this service, after it was identified by the force as being so important for residents.
“It is right that there are safe options for people to be able to travel and enjoy the Shrewsbury areas, particularly during the darker nights. It’s pleasing to hear that the local policing team and Shrewsbury Moves Night Bus have been working together to make a difference to the safety of the community.”
Total passenger journeys:
2,681
(over 8 weeks)
Julia Buckley, Member of Parliament for Shrewsbury, said:
“The Night Bus has already shown how important late-night transport is for residents working in or enjoying Shrewsbury’s evening economy. Feedback has been amazing so far and we’ve been pleased to see demand continue even after the festive period into the new year – now, with seven weeks still to go, it’s vital people continue to use the service so we can clearly demonstrate demand.”
Stephanie Mansell-Jones, Project Lead for Safer Shrewsbury and Public Realm at Shrewsbury BID, said:
“The Night Bus plays an important role in helping people get home safely while supporting businesses, workers and the wider night-time economy.
We know from feedback and user numbers so far that the service is valued, but continued use over the next seven weeks will be essential. The more people who use it and share feedback, the stronger the case we can make for future provision not just on the three routes served by the trial, but over a wider area of the town.”
ASSISTANT PCC visits to see Night Bus in action
On Wednesday the 4th of February, we welcomed the Assistant Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia, Tracey Onslow, to Shrewsbury to see the Shrewsbury Moves Night Bus in action.
The visit brought together partners delivering the trial to share updates on passenger numbers, discuss how the service is supporting safer journeys after dark, and look ahead to what could come next for night-time transport in the town. With the Night Bus continuing to run Wednesday to Saturday until midnight, maintaining strong usage during the remaining weeks of the trial remains a key focus.
Seeing the service operating on the ground reinforced the value of reliable late-night transport for residents, workers and visitors, and the role it plays in supporting Shrewsbury’s evening and night-time economy.
Passengers can track the Shrewsbury Moves Night Bus service in real time using the live bus tracker at bustimes.org, making it easier to plan journeys home after dark.
Partners are continuing to gather feedback on how, when and where people would like to see night-time bus services operate in the future. A public survey, alongside full route and timetable information, is available via the link below:
