Announcement from First Bus
New Child Travel Policy
Starting tomorrow at 6:00 PM (Friday, 21 August), all children aged 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult when traveling on First Bus services to and from Hanley Bus Station.
Background
This decision follows discussions with Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Staffordshire Police, and has received approval from the Department for Transport. The measure aims to address ongoing incidents of anti-social behavior at the bus station and aboard buses, particularly during the Kids Go Free travel scheme, which will continue throughout August in England.
Key Details
- The restriction applies to evening free travel for under-15s and will remain until further notice.
- Drivers maintain discretion to allow unaccompanied travel for vulnerable children or to ensure their safety.
- 32 First Bus services are affected by this limit.
Supported by City Council
Rebecca Arrowsmith, General Manager of First Bus in the Potteries, stated:
“The safety of our staff and customers is always our number one priority. We will take necessary steps to ensure everyone can travel comfortably and without nuisance.”
This measure is supported by the city council and will be reviewed daily for possible removal.
Affected Services List
The following services are included in the 6:00 PM limit:
| Service | Route |
|---|---|
| 2 | Hanley (City Centre) – Northwood |
| 5 | Hanley (City Centre) – Abbey Hulton |
| 6 | Hanley (City Centre) – Coalville |
| 7 | Hanley (City Centre) – Kidsgrove |
| 8 | Hanley (City Centre) – Ball Green |
| 9 | Oxford – Newcastle |
| 11 | Hanley (City Centre) – Newcastle Bus Station |
| 18 | Hanley (City Centre) – Leek Bus Station |
| 21 | Hanley (City Centre) – Trentham, Pacific Road |
| 22 | Newcastle Bus Station – Longton |
| 23 | Hanley (City Centre) – Newstead |
| 25 | Hanley (City Centre) – Keele University |
| 36 | Kidsgrove – Hanley – Meir Square |
| 37 | Longton (Interchange) – Lymedale Business Park |
| 38 | Kidsgrove – Hanley – Newcastle – Talke – Kidsgrove |
| 39 | Kidsgrove – Talke – Newcastle – Hanley – Kidsgrove |
| 40 | Wimbiorne Ave Shops – Beech Grove |
| 43 | Hanley Bus Stn – Baddeley Green |
| 98 | Newcastle Bus Station – Ball Green |
| 99 | Newcastle Bus Station – Chell Heath |
| 101 | Hanley (City Centre) – Stafford Town Centre |
| 103 | Hanley (City Centre) – Crewe Bus Station |
| 501 | Stoke Railway Stn – Etruri Valley |
| 11B | Hanley (City Centre) – Bentilee |
| 11X | Hanley (City Centre) – Newcastle Bus Station |
| 36A | Kidsgrove – Hanley – Meir Square |
| 38A | Kidsgrove – Hanley – Newcastle – Audley |
| 39A | Audley – Newcastle – Hanley – Kidsgrove |
| 40A | Hanley Bus Stn – Wedgwood Visitor Centre |
| 6A | Hanley (City Centre) – Blythe Bridge |
| 6C | Coalville – Hanley (City Centre) |
| 7A | Hanley (City Centre) – Biddulph |
For further details, please visit First Bus.
Ends
