In 2019, the government produced a National Bus Strategy – Bus Back Better – which set out how more people could be encouraged to use local bus services.
Every Local Transport Authority entered into a legal partnership with local bus operators to deliver improvements. Our Bus Service Improvement Partnership identifies the main ways in which to provide a better bus service network for the city. It is in place for five years from 2022 to 2027.
Government considered our plan, and we were successful in being awarded £31 million to develop our proposals and include in our legal partnership.
The government provided guidance as to the type of interventions that are likely to get more people on buses which was used to help shape our proposals. Some of the main elements of our Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) are detailed below.
Shorter journey times
We want to tackle the road junctions where bus passengers are often delayed. Our main aim is to upgrade our traffic signal system so that more signals are linked to each other and they can use historical and live traffic data to optimise timings. By squeezing more efficiency from our signals we can have enough time to provide bus priority at some junctions, by extending the green time when a bus is approaching, for example.
We propose to build some new road links that will provide bus priority between Newport Lane and the new Etruria Valley employment zone. This will give buses the opportunity to use it to provide better access to jobs at Etruria Valley.
More frequent buses
Our proposals will provide a ‘turn up and go’ level of frequency on main routes, with a bus at least every 10 minutes. Other services would have a bus every 20 minutes.
Phase one contracted services started in April 2024, phase two will be in operation by November 2024 and phase three is due to start in January 2025.
Longer hours of operation
Our Plan will provide more buses in the evenings and on Sundays. This will make it more practical for people to use the bus to get to and from work, and for leisure and social activities.
A review of fares
Our Affordable Fares scheme has been in place since July 2023, and has provided a simplified range of tickets at heavily discounted prices. In the first 12 months of operation over 2.5 million tickets were sold.
This scheme has standardised tickets across all operators and for young person's, an upper age of 18 is offered.
With effect from Sunday 13 October 2024 there will be a price increase on the fares for young person's and the adult day and annual ticket, however, the scheme continues to offer great value for money.
Accessibility
By November 2024, 200 level boarding kerbs at bus stops will have been installed to enable more people with limited mobility to be able to use the bus.
Information
Each bus stop will have a timetable and other standard information for users. Around 100 bus stops will have ‘next bus’ countdown displays.
Whilst operators will be free to provide their distinctive individual route branding, we are developing a new network brand. This will emphasise that the bus network is one system, provided by a number of operators. It will complement the all-operator ticketing and information proposals.
Customer Care
Our Bus Customer Charter, outlines what passengers should expect from the service and who to contact with any problems. You can view the full Charter on the next page by clicking the 'Bus Customer Charter' tab at the top of this page.
CCTV is being incorporated into the real time displays which will be installed at more bus stops, to improve personal safety. Lighting levels at bus stops will be reviewed and improved where feasible.
Next Steps
Over the coming months the highways team will be finishing off the accessible bus stops, and starting the enabling works for the real time information displays.
Employers and their employees will be asked to complete survey with regard to bus travel as a sustainable option, this can also be circulated to residents to help us develop the bus network further.
Related documents
Click here to read the Stoke-on-Trent Bus Service Improvement Plan October 2021 (BSIP)
Click here to read the Stoke-on-Trent City Council - Part B Enhanced Partnership Scheme
Click here to read the Stoke-on-Trent Bus Service Improvement Plan June 2024 (BSIP)
Please note: Non-accessible content
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