Residents are driving out of town to catch a Park and Ride bus so they can travel back into Shrewsbury cheaply, rather than use more expensive Arriva services.
That is just one of the findings published in the final report of the borough council bus review group which will be discussed at a meeting tonight, Thursday.
Others include claims that investment in Shrewsbury’s public transport is way behind neighbouring counties, many disabled people struggle to use bus facilities and that the public is not aware of some bus services that run.
The review group has made a raft of recommendations aimed at improving bus services in the town which will be considered by the Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council overview committee.
The report says that: “Research should be conducted to assess the effect of heavily-subsidised Park and Ride services on town resident transportation choices.
“There are concerns that Park and Ride services are so cheap in comparison to local fares that it is encouraging residents in town to drive out to Park and Ride sites in order for them to travel into town.
“Such behaviour defeats the purpose of providing bus services to reduce car journeys.”
Current investment in public transport for Shrewsbury is £3.5 million, but the report states that other areas spend far more.
Telford and Wrekin has invested £8 million in a quality bus partnership, Hereford spent £2.3 million just on a low floor bus project which increased bus patronage by 11 per cent and Cheshire spent £3 million on 12 new buses in partnership with Arriva.
The group whose membership includes councillors Keith Roberts, Chris Freestone, Joyce Allaway, Stephen Williams and chairman Dr Maxwell Winchester recommended improving bus routes, customer service, the bus station, disabled access and funding.