Fares waived on key routes for 18 July to boost access and reduce parking pressure
Residents and visitors heading into Congleton for Congleton Pride this Saturday, 18 July, will be able to travel at no cost on a range of local buses after the town council earmarked its first Free Bus Day for the event.
Congleton Town Council confirmed that all bus services operating within the Congleton boundary will be free to board throughout the day, including the Beartown circulars — routes 90, 91, 92 and 93A/C — serving Mossley, Bromley Farm, Buglawton and West Heath, as well as the 38, 42 and 94 for the sections of their journeys that lie within the town boundary.
The initiative is one of four Free Bus Days granted to towns across the borough, funded by the UK Government through the Cheshire East Bus Partnership. The move aims to make it simpler and cheaper for people to reach the town centre, support local businesses during major events and cut the need for short car trips that add to congestion and parking demand.
Congleton Pride Co-Chair Abby Smith said: "Many thanks to the town council for supporting our pride event, both with a charity grant and by nominating it for one of the Free Bus Days. I'm sure that lots of our visitors will catch the bus and save on the hassle and cost of parking. Of course not everyone has a car or can drive, so it makes our event even more inclusive to offer a free bus service. I hope everyone will jump on the bus to pride and feel free to have a drink from the bar while joining in with the activities on the stalls, having a go at our crafting sessions and enjoying the live music in the town hall."
The council’s decision follows a recent trial during the town’s Food & Drink Festival in June, when the Beartown circular buses operated on a Sunday and were free to use. According to the council, usage on that day rose by 55% compared with an average Saturday, with positive feedback from passengers.
Cllr Kay Wesley, who chairs the town council’s Community Committee, said: "I'm delighted the town council agreed to use one of our Free Bus Days for Pride. The event always brings a lot of people to the town centre, which is good for our shops and businesses, many of whom decorate their windows and join in the festival."
Which buses are free — and where
Fares are waived for everyone boarding within the Congleton boundary on the following:
- Beartown circulars 90, 91, 92, 93A/C — linking Mossley, Bromley Farm, Buglawton and West Heath with the town centre.
- 38, 42, 94 — free for the parts of these routes that run inside the Congleton boundary.
| Route | Service | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 90 | Beartown circular | Includes Mossley |
| 91 | Beartown circular | Includes Bromley Farm |
| 92 | Beartown circular | Includes Buglawton |
| 93A/C | Beartown circular | Includes West Heath |
| 38 | Within boundary only | No fare charged inside Congleton |
| 42 | Within boundary only | No fare charged inside Congleton |
| 94 | Within boundary only | No fare charged inside Congleton |
Access, inclusion and the town centre economy
By aligning the first Free Bus Day with a flagship community festival, the council is seeking to widen participation and remove cost barriers for people who do not drive, as well as those who prefer not to contend with town-centre parking on a busy Saturday. Organisers say Congleton Pride typically draws footfall into the town hall and surrounding streets, with shops and venues often adding their own displays and activities.
Waiving fares within the boundary is also designed to encourage short, local bus trips that can be time-competitive with driving once parking and walking are factored in. The 55% uplift seen during June’s free services indicates there is likely demand for buses when the cost and convenience equation shifts in their favour.
What travellers should know
- Date: Saturday 18 July.
- Eligibility: Free to all passengers for trips that start and finish within the Congleton boundary.
- Routes: Beartown 90, 91, 92, 93A/C; and 38, 42, 94 within the boundary.
- Purpose: Support attendance at Congleton Pride and reduce parking pressures.
Passengers are advised to check stop information on the day and confirm whether their journey points both fall within the Congleton boundary to benefit from the fare waiver on the 38, 42 and 94. For the Beartown circulars, all sections are covered as they circulate within the town.
Further Free Bus Days are expected to be allocated to other local events later in the year, as part of the borough-wide programme funded through the Cheshire East Bus Partnership.
