First Bus announce timetable changes and new service for Potteries
First Bus has announced a number of changes and new services for the Potteries areas which will take effect from the 1st of September.
The changes will see an improvement to the timetable of several services to better improve punctuality and journey experience.
The Service 3A / 4 / 4A will now be replaced by the brand-new service 38 clockwise serving Newcastle, Kidsgrove and Hanley and service 39 will operate the return service (Hanley - Kidsgrove - Newcastle).
Service 3A, that currently terminates at Butt Lane and service 4, currently operating between Hanley - Waterhayes, will be replaced by service 38a operating from Kidsgrove to Waterhayes and a 39a service operating the return journey from Waterhayes - Kidsgrove.
This new service pattern creates cross-city links between the north of the city and Festival Park, a popular destination for dining and shopping.
First Bus are also introducing later evening services on the new 38 and 39 Monday to Friday.
First Bus have also announced they will introduce a new Sunday service from Hanley – Milton on Service 43.
Further additional journeys have been added to service 6A which will now operate an additional journey Monday - Friday from Blythe Bridge at 6:03 for early morning commuters as well as an additional Sunday services on the 21 between Hanley and Trentham and 22 between Newcastle and Longton
Ian Smith, Commercial Director for First Bus in Potteries, said:
"We remain committed to investing in the improvement of bus services across the Potteries area. These changes are driven by the valuable feedback we've received from both our customers and drivers, as we strive to enhance punctuality and ensure a positive travel experience for everyone."
"We're excited to introduce new services like the 38/39 and to add additional journeys on existing routes like the 6a, along with making adjustments to improve punctuality throughout the region. In areas where services are changing or being reduced, we've worked hard to provide alternative routes that those communities can access”.
Further details about all the changes are published here Firstbus/Potteries and customers are advised to check their routes before travelling.
Full list of changes:
- Service 3 has been renumbered to 103 bringing it in line with our 101 (long distance & out of the area). This will run as a standalone service from Hanley - Crewe.
- Services 3A / 4 / 4A will be replaced by the 38 clockwise (Newcastle - Kidsgrove - Hanley) and 39 anti-clockwise (Hanley - Kidsgrove - Newcastle). Service 3A, that currently terminates at Butt Lane and Service 4, currently operating between Hanley - Waterhayes, will be replaced by a new 38a operating from Kidsgrove to Waterhayes and a 39a service operating the return journey from Waterhayes - Kidsgrove.
- Service 6A will receive an additional journey Monday - Friday from Blythe Bridge at 6:03.
- Service 21 will introduce a new Sunday service between Hanley - Trentham, with the first journey from Hanley at 9:40 and from Trentham at 10:10. There will also be minor timetable changes Monday - Friday to improve punctuality.
- Service 22 will run with minor timetables changes to improve punctuality, with the last journey on Saturday continuing through to Longton from 1st September. A new Sunday service will operate starting at 9:30 from Newcastle & 10:07 from Longton.
- Service 23 will receive minor timetable changes to improve punctuality.
- Service 25 will receive timetable changes for the new university term.
- Service 43 will introduce a new Sunday service from Hanley - Milton starting from Adams Street in Milton at 9:32, with the first service of the day from Hanley bus station at 10:17.
- Service 98 & 99 will receive minor timetable changes to improve punctuality