A new bus service between Whitchurch, Market Drayton, the Princess Royal Hospital and Wellington bus station has launched today.

The new service, numbered 340, is being funded from the council’s recent allocation of Government bus service improvement funding for the year 2025/26 and is operated by D&G Buses.

Buses will operate Monday to Saturday, starting at 7.05am from Whitchurch to Market Drayton then Wellington. The service from Wellington to both towns starts at 7.10am.

The service provides a much-needed and much-requested connection between these towns, allowing access to Princess Royal Hospital, Telford College and Wellington and Whitchurch railway stations. The last bus from both Wellington and Whitchurch will be at 6.40pm.

Rob Wilson, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for transport and economic growth, said:

“We know that this service is something that people want and need – particularly as it will include a stop at the Princess Royal Hospital, and at Telford College. Of course, it will also make it easier for people from Whitchurch to visit Market Drayton, and vice versa, and for people from Wellington to visit both of these towns.

“I’m confident this service will prove popular and hope people will make good use of it.”

Kevin Crawford, area operations manager at D&G Buses said:

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to work in partnership with Shropshire Council to provide the brand-new local bus service 340 linking Whitchurch, Market Drayton, the Princess Royal Hospital, and Wellington bus station, connecting rural communities and enhancing access to essential services on Monday to Saturday.

“For Market Drayton residents this service will also offer a connection to train services from either Whitchurch or Wellington, as well as bus connections into Telford town centre meeting requests from Market Drayton residents.”