Gloucestershire County Council has announced the introduction of additional later evening bus services on routes in Cheltenham.

This is the first phase of wide-ranging bus service improvements being made for the benefit of communities after the county council was awarded more than £4.4 million by the Department for Transport over two years.

The Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus (BSIP+) funding amounts to £2,209,623 and was allocated to improve bus services in the county during 2023/24 and an anticipated further £2,209,623 will be given for 2024/25.

The additional later evening bus services in Cheltenham will take effect from Sunday 7 January on the following routes:

A Hester's Way to Prestbury via Town Centre

C Cheltenham Town Centre to Fiddler's Green

D Hatherley to Bishops Cleeve via Town Centre

41 Cheltenham to Tewkesbury and Northway

The services are being run by Stagecoach and will operate until between midnight and around 1 am on Friday and Saturday evenings and until between about 10 pm and 11 pm on Sunday evenings.

Rachel Geliamassi, managing director, of Stagecoach West, said: "We're delighted to be able to make improvements to our evening timetable on routes A, C and D in partnership with Gloucestershire County Council, particularly on Sunday evenings.

"We're taking strides to bring improved connectivity and convenience to our community. Introducing these later evening journeys gives our passengers more choice and flexibility, especially those who work late shifts, are visiting friends, or are returning from a night out."

These additional bus journeys are aimed at supporting Cheltenham's evening economy, allowing residents to stay later in the town centre, knowing they will have a bus to take them home. The initiative will also benefit shift workers.

The Sunday evening buses on routes A, C and D will extend these services by up to four hours after the current last bus times, making it much easier for residents to return home by bus after a day or weekend away.

Cllr Philip Robinson, cabinet member with responsibility for buses at Gloucestershire County Council, said: "I'm pleased to see these extra services being provided thanks to the funding we have received from the Department for Transport. They will help Cheltenham's evening economy and provide greater convenience for residents and shift workers.

"This is the first phase of a larger programme of bus service improvements coming to many parts of Gloucestershire, continuing our commitment to improving and supporting the many bus services we have in the county."

Guy Opperman, Roads minister said: "Locals in Gloucestershire deserve a modern, reliable, and affordable public transport system. And thanks to the work of the local council, and representations from local MPs Alex Chalk and Richard Graham we have provided Gloucestershire County Council with over £4.4 million to boost its bus services.

"Supporting the Council with introducing later evening bus services across four bus routes is fantastic for residents and shift workers, who will now be able to get around Cheltenham more easily in the evenings."