First Bus expands network across the Potteries

First Bus is pleased to announce that an additional ten new services are launching across the Potteries from 23^rd February, that will expand the network and improve evening and Sunday bus provision in the region. An update to the existing Service 103 will also be implemented. The latest updates to the services are being financially supported by Stoke City Council, further strengthening its continued relationship with First Bus.

The following services will be introduced:

Service 2

An evening service between Hanley and Birches Head Monday to Friday and Saturday departing from Hanley at 1720, 1800, 1840, 1945, 2045 & 2145.

Service 5

An early morning service at 0547 Monday to Friday from Abbey Hulton to Hanley and 0657 and 0742 on Saturdays from Abbey Hulton to Hanley. There will also be a journey at 0722 from Hanley to Abbey Hulton on Saturdays. An evening service will also be running hourly between Hanley and Abbey Hulton, Monday to Friday and Saturday, with the last journey being 2247 from Hanley to Abbey Hulton and 2229 from Abbey Hulton back to Hanley.

Service 9 (serves Royal Stoke Hospital and Rail Station)

An evening service running hourly between Newcastle and Fegg Hayes, Monday to Friday and Saturday, with the last journey being 2254 towards Newcastle and 2310 towards Fegg Hayes.

A new Sunday service will also run on the number 9 route departing from Newcastle at 0945, hourly to 1645 and departing from Fegg Hayes from 0945 to 1645 hourly.

Service 40 (serves Wedgwood visitor centre)

A brand-new service that will run from Hanley to Wedgwood via Heron Cross, Longton and Newstead. This service will operate hourly on Saturdays between 0900 and 1400 creating links to The World of Wedgwood.

Service 501 (serves Wolstanton Retail Park)

A brand-new circular service connecting, Stoke Rail Station, Hanley Bus Station and Etruria Valley with Wolstanton Retail Park. This service will operate hourly between 0915 and 1620 Monday to Saturday. 

Bus stops served are limited to calling at Stoke Rail Station, Hanley Bus Station, Etruria Valley, Wolstanton Retail Park plus, all bus stops on Greyhound Way, Pavilion Drive, Ridgehouse Drive, Festival Way, Forge Lane and Shelton Boulevard.

Service 7A

An evening service running hourly between Hanley and Hollington Drive, Monday to Friday and Saturday, with the last journey being 2245 from Hanley to Hollington Drive and 2205 from Feggs Haye, opp Hollington Drive back to Hanley.

Service 8

An evening service running hourly between Hanley and Ball Green, Monday to Friday with the last journey being 2220 from Hanley to Ball Green and 2243 from Ball Green back to Hanley.

Service 23

A new evening service will run on the normal 23 route that runs Monday to Friday between Hanley and Newstead, departing from Hanley at 2010, hourly to 2310 and departing from Newstead from 2045 to 2245 hourly.

Service 36 and 36A

An evening service on Sundays that will run from Meir Square (36)/Meir Park (36A) to Kidsgrove via Hanley and will also serve Longton, Burslem and Tunstall. This service will operate every 30 minutes with the last journey being 2226 from Meir Square to Hanley and 2300 from Hanley back to Meir Square, 2305 from Kidsgrove to Hanley and 2300 from Hanley back to Kidsgrove.

Service 38, 39, 38A, 39A

Extra evening journeys on services 38 and 39 between Newcastle and Hanley Monday to Sunday.

Service 103

An updated Service 103 will see minor timetable changes to help keep buses to run on time.

A spokesperson for First Bus Potteries commented: “We are constantly looking at how and where we can provide links to places of interest and essential facilities such as hospitals and educational establishments, to best support our customers, so we’re really pleased to announce the introduction of these additional services to the area. We strive to listen to, and act on, feedback from our customers, as well as working closely with the local city council to ensure we continue to serve the area, and our customers, in the best way possible. We extend our thanks to Stoke City Council for continuing to partner with us, and financially support these services, helping keep the community connected.”