Extra evening services aim to ease travel after Night Glow
Telford & Wrekin Council has announced a co-ordinated extension to a number of local bus services for the Telford Balloon Fiesta Night Glow on Friday 28 August 2026, with a series of evening journeys departing from Telford Bus Station to be offered free of charge.
The move, arranged with operator Arriva, builds on the council’s existing fare arrangements for August: adults already benefit from a £2 single fare and children under 16 travel free for the month. The short-term extension is intended to give residents more options for travelling home after the nighttime event and to reduce the pressure and cost of travelling by car.
Which services are extended?
The following evening journeys will operate free from Telford Bus Station on the night of the Night Glow:
- Service 2 – to Sutton Hill via Dawley, Woodside and Madeley: 8.30pm, 9.30pm, 10.30pm
- Service 3 – to Brookside via Hollinswood and Randlay: 10.30pm
- Service 4 – to Leegomery via Oakengates, Ketley and Wellington: 9.30pm, 10.30pm
- Service 5A – to Newport via Oakengates, Donnington, Muxton and Lilleshall: 10.30pm
- Service 7 – to Wellington via Oakengates, Donnington, Trench and Hadley: 8.30pm, 9.30pm, 10.30pm
- Service 8 – to Madeley via Lawley and Lightmoor: 9.30pm, 10.30pm
| Service | Destinations | Evening departures (from Telford Bus Station) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Sutton Hill (via Dawley, Woodside, Madeley) | 8.30pm, 9.30pm, 10.30pm |
| 3 | Brookside (via Hollinswood, Randlay) | 10.30pm |
| 4 | Leegomery (via Oakengates, Ketley, Wellington) | 9.30pm, 10.30pm |
| 5A | Newport (via Oakengates, Donnington, Muxton, Lilleshall) | 10.30pm |
| 7 | Wellington (via Oakengates, Donnington, Trench, Hadley) | 8.30pm, 9.30pm, 10.30pm |
| 8 | Madeley (via Lawley, Lightmoor) | 9.30pm, 10.30pm |
The council emphasises that any regularly timetabled services from Telford Bus Station that are not listed will continue to run at standard ticket prices.
"We want as many people as possible to be able to enjoy the Telford Balloon Fiesta Night Glow and good public transport plays a vital role in making that happen. The £2 adult single fare and free travel for under 16s already make bus travel one of the most affordable ways to get to the event, and we've worked closely with Arriva to go a step further by agreeing a one-night extension to the majority of our bus services."
The council said the extra services are designed to remove barriers for people who might otherwise struggle to attend and to reduce the cost and stress associated with parking. For families and those who rely on public transport, the combination of lower fares and later services should make attending the Night Glow more accessible.
Local context and impact
The Telford Balloon Fiesta is one of the borough’s flagship summer events, drawing residents from across the town and neighbouring areas. Transport arrangements have been a recurring focus in recent years as event organisers and the council attempt to balance attendance with congestion, parking capacity and safety.
By extending a range of late services from the central bus station, the council is seeking to reduce the dependency on private cars for returning home after the event, which runs into the evening. The move may also encourage families to choose bus travel given the age-limited free travel available throughout August, and the centrally promoted £2 adult single fare.
Passengers are advised to check published times on the night and the council’s communications for any last-minute changes. Regularly scheduled buses that aren’t part of the listed extensions will still require payment.
The council’s collaboration with Arriva reflects ongoing efforts to use public transport to support community events and ease pressure on Telford’s road network.
