Politicians in North Staffordshire have blasted bosses at First Bus for slashing routes just days after a meeting to discuss improving local bus services.

Transport minister Richard Holden visited Stoke-on-Trent last week to talk about how a £30 million investment would bring about more routes and a three-year project to transform public transport in the area.

Stoke-on-Trent Central MP, Jo Gideon, has written to the boss of First Buses, Nigel Eggleton, demanding an explanation.

She said: "This announcement of cuts to bus services is extremely disappointing, especially following the positive discussions that recently took place when the Minister for Roads and Local Transport, Richard Holden MP, visited my constituency for a roundtable discussion with representatives from your company, local MPs and the council.

"My constituents have raised major concerns regarding the reduction and in some cases the cancellation of services all together which leaves them without access to the local buses they rely on to travel around Stoke-on-Trent.

"I am sure you will agree that people who do not have access to a car or are unable to drive need good reliable and regular public transport."

A spokesperson for First Bus confirmed they'd received Ms Gideon's letter and said they would reply to it in due course.

Ian Smith, the company's commercial director, said in a statement: "On Sunday 2nd July some of our services will be changing to coincide with how, when and where people are travelling by bus around the Potteries area.

"I realise that some of the upcoming changes may bring some inconvenience to the few people that use the bus at those times, but bus services need to be supported to secure sustainability and unfortunately in the areas affected by the changes, we have seen a decline in demand."

Local politicians have protested against the decision, but bosses say they have seen a 'decline in demand' (Nub News).

The First Potteries cuts in full:

• Service 3, 3A Hanley – Crewe/Talke Pits: Buses will continue to operate every 10 minutes between Kidsgrove and Tunstall, Monday-Friday daytime. A few journeys in the evening have been withdrawn.
• Service 4, 4A Hanley – Audley/Kidsgrove: Buses will now terminate at Waterhayes and Audley/Wood Lane will no longer be served. On Sundays, service 4 will operate between Hanley and Newcastle only. D&G will continue to operate between Wood Lane and Audley. There are no changes to the route of service 4A and there will continue to be a bus every 15 minutes, Monday-Friday daytime between Hanley, Festival Park, Newcastle and Chesterton. Some evening journeys have been withdrawn.
• Service 6, 6A Hanley – Coalville/Blythe Bridge: A few evening journeys have been withdrawn.
• Service 7, 7A Hanley – Kidsgrove/Biddulph: Buses will now operate hourly on each route, Monday-Saturday daytime and will provide a half hourly service between Hanley and Chell. The Sunday service is withdrawn.
• Service 11, 11B Hanley – Newcastle/Bentilee: There are minor timetable changes to help improve reliability. There are no changes to the frequency.
• Service 18 Hanley – Leek: The Sunday service is withdrawn.
• Service 23 Hanley – Newstead: We'll be operating an hourly service, during the day on Sundays, between Hanley and Blurton. This will be provided under contact to Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
• Service 25 Hanley – Keele: There are minor timetable changes to help improve reliability. The 'university vacation' timetable will be in operation on the date of the change.
• Service 98, 99 Newcastle – Ball Green/Chell Heath: There are no changes to these services, which are now financially supported by Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
• Service 101 Hanley – Stafford: The Sunday service is withdrawn.

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