Bus operator, First Bus, has announced changes to the price of Smart ticket bus passes in Stoke-on-Trent from Saturday (1 November). 

The Smart Fares discount travel scheme, which offers multi-operator bus passes which allow passengers to travel on buses provided by different operators across North Staffordshire, has been extended until 31 March 2026 and prices will be updated this weekend. 

The Smart Fares Scheme is part of the city council's Bus Service Improvement Plan which is funded by £31.6 million from the Department for Transport.

As part of the changes, the three-month pass for both adults and young people have been withdrawn. 

The updated Smart Fare prices, which are valid on services operated by First Bus, D&G, Stantons of Stoke, Scraggs and Arriva Midlands: 

• Adult Week: from £12.00 to £14.00 
• Adult Month: from £42.00 to £49.00 
• Adult 3 Month : from £115.00 to Withdrawn 
• Adult Year: from £504.00 to £560.00 
• Young Person's Day: from £3.50 to £3.70 
• Young Person's Week: from £9.00 to £10.00 
• Young Person's Month: from £31.50 to £37.00 
• Young Person's 3 Month: from £85.00 to Withdrawn 
• Young Person's Year: from £378.00 to £420.00 

First Bus said: "Thanks to continued government funding through the Bus Service Improvement Plan, Smart Fares will continue to offer great-value travel across services operated by First Bus, D&G, Stantons of Stoke, Scraggs and Arriva Midlands." 

Stoke-on-Trent City Council explained that the adult and young person three-month tickets have been removed from the scheme due to lack of uptake of those tickets.

Cllr Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for transport, infrastructure and regeneration at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "When we launched the Smart Fares scheme, our mission was simple: to make public transport something people could truly depend on - affordable, accessible, and fair.

"Since then, millions of journeys have been made across our city, and that tells a story of progress. Extending the scheme means keeping that momentum going, keeping travel affordable, and keeping our communities connected.

"Alongside new and improved routes, we're transforming the bus network into something that works for everyone, because transportation is about freedom, opportunity, and the dignity of being able to get where you need to go.

"We'll continue to work closely with local operators and with government to make sure every investment serves the people of Stoke-on-Trent, because when we move together, we move forward together."