THE MP for Mid Worcestershire Nigel Huddleston is urging residents to have their say on a potential expansion to the Worcestershire On-Demand bus service to Evesham.
The bus is booked via a smartphone app and collects passengers from ‘virtual bus stops’.
The service has been hailed a success since its launch in Bromsgrove during the pandemic.
A new Malvern rural zone was launched in 2023 and now the MP has confirmed he is in talks with Worcestershire County Council to bring it to the Vale of Evesham, including Broadway.
Mr Huddleston said: “I was recently contacted by Coun Mike Rouse at Worcestershire Highways to confirm that the council is looking to roll out a third zone for demand responsive transport, and that Evesham and the surrounding areas has seen selected for consideration.
“The zone has not yet been finalised, so there is an opportunity for residents to feed into my office their suggestions which I will pass on to the county council.”
The expansion of Demand Responsive Travel (DRT) in the south of Worcestershire builds on improvements to local services in Droitwich, including the establishment of two new bus routes serving the town.
Coun Rouse, Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, added: “Traffic congestion through Evesham and the challenges associated with rural areas such as
Broadway have been brought to my attention by Nigel Huddleston, the late Coun Peter Griffiths covering Evesham along with Coun Emma Stokes and Coun Elizabeth Eyre representing Broadway.
“Collectively they have made a very strong case for this part of Worcestershire to benefit from demand-responsive buses and I am delighted we are able to consider their requests.”
Residents are encouraged to visit Mr Huddleston’s website and complete the feedback form to provide their suggestions – these will then be passed along as the final zone is drawn up.
These suggestions can include ‘points of interest’ such as tourist attractions, or to highlight villages and areas that are facing particular challenges with public transport connectivity.
Suggestions should be sent by the end of this month.
People can visit nigelhuddleston.com and email Mr Huddleston to have their say.
An announcement about the roll-out of the final zone is expected by the end of the summer.
