A bus operator fears that services may be reduced in the future if funding for a discounted fares scheme ends earlier than planned.

The Affordable Fares Scheme, introduced in Stoke-on-Trent last year, means adults can travel on buses across the city for just £2 for a single journey, while other fares including day and week tickets have been cut by 40%.

The Government-funded scheme also covers journeys into North Staffordshire. to towns and villages including Biddulph, Kidsgrove, Madeley, Audley and Tittensor, and is valid on routes operated by First, D&G Bus, Stantons of Stoke, Blue Buses and Arriva Midlands. It is due to end on March 31 2025, but one operator is concerned that funding will run out before then, meaning there would need to be a "modest increase" to fares to make up the shortfall to enable the scheme to run to its planned end date.

The Affordable Fares scheme is due to end on 31 March 2025 (Stoke-on-Trent City Council).

David Brookes, Managing Director of D&G Buses said: "The Affordable Fares Scheme has been a great success and has considerably increased the number of bus passengers, but the continual delays in setting new fares mean that it may have to end early and fares increased more than necessary, leading to a loss of passengers and fewer bus services in Stoke-on-Trent. The city council's failure to make a decision could mean services will be reduced in the future."

The operator said that proposals were presented on May 15 and since then there have been further meetings. A final decision was to be made by Stoke-on-Trent City Council on 16th July, but D&G Buses says operators have heard nothing and have received no further information.

A spokesperson for Stoke-on-Trent City Council said: "Our Affordable Fares Scheme was launched back in July 2023 to provide discounted ticket prices for passengers travelling around Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. The scheme forms part of our wider Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) which aims to improve public transport in the city.

One bus operator in the Potteries is worried that funding will run out before next March (LDRS).

"Affordable Fares has been extremely successful and has resulted in a huge increase in bus passengers in that time. To ensure we can continue the scheme for as long as possible, we are now reviewing all our options.

"It is unfortunate that bus operators have not been able to agree a single proposal but we hope to find a resolution in the very near future to ensure this scheme will continue until at least March 2025 in line with our funding agreement with government. It is disappointing that one of our operators felt the need to publicly express their frustration, but we would like to reassure them that we are working to find a resolution to enable the scheme to continue for as long as possible for the benefit of as many people, on as many services, as possible."

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