Cheaper fares and junction improvements are included in a new £9.9 million plan for buses in Stoke-on-Trent.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council was awarded the government funding under the latest phase of the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), having previously received £31.6 million.

Council leaders are now set to approve the BSIP investment programme for 2025/26, which includes 11 separate schemes.

More than half of the new funding – £5 million – will be allocated to the Travel SMART bus fares scheme, allowing it to continue for another year.

The council says that the introduction of discounted and simpler fares has resulted in 'significant patronage increase' since 2023, reversing years of declining bus use in Stoke-on-Trent.

There are also plans to spend £1.25 million on improvements to four junctions on the A52 Hartshill Road and A520 Weston Road, where bus passengers currently face 'frustrating' delays, according to operators.

These junction upgrades could include the SCOOT system, which gives buses traffic light priority over other vehicles. Lighting and security improvements will be carried out at Hanley and Longton bus stations, 'to improve the safety and comfort of the passengers'.

There will be changes made to Hanley bus station to improve the 'safety and comfort of the passengers'. (Nub News)

And another £1.5 million will be allocated to the Newport Lane bus link, which is currently at the planning stage and is expected to be completed by summer 2027. Cabinet members will be asked to approve in principle the investment programme at their meeting on Tuesday.

Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for transport, infrastructure and regeneration, said: "For too long, working people in Stoke-on-Trent have been stuck with a bus system that doesn't work for them.

Unreliable services, high fares and routes that don't meet the needs of our communities – this is the result of decades of underinvestment and broken promises. But we are changing that.

"Through the Bus Service Improvement Plan, we've already fought for and secured millions of pounds to cut fares, expand services and make real upgrades to our bus network.

"And now, with this latest £9.87 million investment, we're continuing to build a system that actually works – for workers, for students, for families, and for our entire city.

"When public transport is affordable, reliable, and accessible, it doesn't just help the people who take the bus – it helps all of us. It means stronger local businesses, more jobs, cleaner air and a city that moves forward together. It means real economic opportunity for every part of Stoke-on-Trent.

"We will continue fighting for more investment, more accountability and a truly modern bus system that works for working people – because our city and our people deserve nothing less."

The BSIP investment plan for 2025/26:

Travel Smart bus fares – £5 million

Newport Lane active travel link – £1.5 million

Bus priority junction improvement – £1.25 million

Lighting and safety improvements at Hanley and Longton bus stations – £700,000

Continuation of services between Etruria Valley, neighbouring retail parks, Hanley and Stoke Station and a new services between Middleport and north of city – £440,000

Travel Smart initiatives including potential free bus travel weekends to Centenery events – £300,000

Transport model and monitoring equipment – £200,000

Team support for completed projects – £175,000

Advertising contract bus shelter upgrades – £150,000

Travel SMART tap on tap off multi-operator ticketing scheme – £90,720

Monitoring and evaluation post – £63,000

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