Two new weekday bus services are starting in Stoke-on-Trent today as part of the city council's continued investment in bus services. 

The number 27, operated by D&G Bus, serving Dividy Road, Beverley Drive, Meir Hay and Longton starts today providing the first direct link to Longton in a number of years for parts of the Bentilee estate, according to Stoke-on-Trent council.

Services will run from Bentilee adjacent to Lidl towards Longton at 9:28am, 10:28am, 11:28am, 12:28 and 1:43pm. Departures from Longton bus station towards Meir Hay and Bentilee will operate at 10:15am, 11:15am, 12:15, 1:30pm and 2:30pm. 

The number 96 service, also operated by D&G Bus, serving Newchapel, Packmoor, Tunstall and Middleport also starts today. 

It's been over 10 years since buses last served the centre of Middleport, according to Stoke-on-Trent council. The number 96 will run six times a day Monday-Friday, between 9:30am and 2:30pm. 

Services will leave Packmoor at 9:30am, 10:30am, 11:30am and 1:30pm as well as hourly departures from Middleport starting at 10am until the last departure at 2pm.

Neither of the new services will run on weekends or bank holidays. 

The number 40 service will also run on a revised route from today.

The latest routes all form part of the city council's government-funded Bus Service Improvement Plan, which has seen more than 30 new services introduced over the past 12 months.

Cllr Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for transport, infrastructure and regeneration at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "Last month, we launched 14 new services to help residents get to their jobs, schools, universities and shops. Now we're launching even more.

"We have listened to residents and we know that these new services are vitally needed, so we are delighted that, as part of our Bus Service Improvement Plan, we have recently secured an extra £9.9 million to continue improving our bus network.

"As I always say, the more people who use the buses then the more sustainable they become and the longer these services can continue. 

"So, whether you're travelling between Packmoor and Tunstall, Bentilee and Longton or Stoke and Festival Park, there's never been a better time to take the bus in Stoke-on-Trent. 

"I encourage as many people as possible to use these services or you will lose them."

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This story was updated at 16:00 14/04/25