A MASTERPLAN for revitalising bus services in Herefordshire has been revealed, including by introducing electric vehicles and a simplified ticketing system.

The new ideas were unveiled as Herefordshire Council submitted its plan for investment in bus services to the Government.

A key part to its transport strategy, Herefordshire Council said improving bus services was key for residents and visitors.

The bus service improvement plan for Herefordshire set out how the council planned to invest in bus services across the county for a "coordinated, reliable and sustainable bus network" and single point of information to simplify journey planning. It also outlined plans for trialling electric buses on the urban bus fleet.

But it said plans were dependent on securing some of the £3 billion National Bus Strategy Department for Transport funding.

Measures in the five-year plan included services being better coordinated with simplified ticketing, as well as developing the "core" network of services in Hereford and market town links.

The council also wants to develop the "supporting network", connecting market towns with surrounding areas, which it said would "reflect the needs of the local community".

It also wanted to look at the potential of "responsive services", those without a fixed timetable or route, to encourage demand and replace infrequent rural services.

The council said part of its plans was also around driver training and retention, saying it wanted to launch a county-wide project to promote and develop drivers for the Herefordshire bus network.

Councillor John Harrington, Cabinet member infrastructure and transport, said: “Investment in bus services was identified as a key element of the council’s transport strategy following the Hereford Transport Strategy Review.

"Buses are a great way to reduce the number of vehicles on our roads and reduce our carbon footprint, but to do this successfully we need a service that is frequent, reliable and easy to use."

He said electric buses would modernise the fleet, as well as improving air quality in the city, where they would be used.

Coun Harrington added that the recent introduction of free weekend bus travel in the county, with extra routes on Sundays, had made him "certain" that people would use buses if they were a reliable and affordable alternative to the car.