Three more bus services are being rolled out in Stoke-on-Trent as part of a city council commitment to make public transport more accessible for everyone.
Last month, 14 new services were introduced in the city, making it easier for passengers to get to work, school, see friends and relatives and get to the shops and hospitals during the evenings and weekends.
Now even more bus services will begin this month. They are:
- Service 500 – serving Stoke-on-Trent Railway Station and Festival Park during peak hours (launched on Monday 7 April).
- Service 27 – serving Dividy Road, Beverley Drive, Meir Hay and Longton, providing the first direct link to Longton in a number of years for parts of the Bentilee estate (starting on Monday 14 April)
- Service 96 – serving Newchapel, Packmoor, Tunstall and Middleport (starting on Monday 14 April). It’s been over 10 years since buses last served the centre of Middleport.
In addition, the number 40 bus – which had previously been operated by D&G – will now be operated by First Potteries from Monday 14 April. The bus will operate an hourly weekday daytime service between Newstead, Longton and Mount Pleasant.
First Potteries also runs a new Saturday service on the number 40A bus – introduced last month (March) – which serves Mount Pleasant and World of Wedgwood in Barlaston.
The latest routes all form part of the city council’s government-funded Bus Service Improvement Plan, which has seen more than 30 new services introduced over the past 12 months.
Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for transport, infrastructure and regeneration at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “Last month, we launched 14 new services to help residents get to their jobs, schools, universities and shops. Now we’re launching even more.
“We have listened to residents and we know that these new services are vitally needed, so we are delighted that, as part of our Bus Service Improvement Plan, we have recently secured an extra £9.9 million to continue improving our bus network.
“As I always say, the more people who use the buses then the more sustainable they become and the longer these services can continue. So, whether you’re travelling between Packmoor and Tunstall, Bentilee and Longton or Stoke and Festival Park, there’s never been a better time to take the bus in Stoke-on-Trent. I encourage as many people as possible to use these services or you will lose them.”
Stoke-on-Trent City Council recently announced that the additional funding, secured from the Department for Transport, will be used to improve four problem junctions in the city where bus passengers are currently experiencing frustrating delays.
It will also be used to install new lighting and additional security measures at Hanley and Longton bus stations and continue to improve links between Etruria Valley, neighbouring retail parks, the city centre and Stoke-on-Trent Railway Station.
In addition, the city’s discounted travel scheme will be extended, meaning adults and young people can continue to make the most of lower bus fares.
Adults can secure day, weekly, monthly and three-monthly tickets for £4.80, £12, £42 and £115 respectively while young people, under the age of 19, will pay just £3.50 (day ticket), £9 (weekly ticket), £31.50 (monthly ticket) and £85 (three-month ticket).
For more information about the city council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan visit: Bus Service Improvement Plan | Bus Service Improvement Plan | Stoke-on-Trent
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