Concern that bus fare discounts could stall

A bus operator said future services could be reduced if funding for a discounted fares scheme ended earlier than planned.
The Affordable Fares Scheme covers journeys to towns and villages including Biddulph, Kidsgrove, Madeley, Audley and Tittensor, as well as Stoke-on-Trent.
Introduced last year, it means adults can travel on buses for £2 for a single journey, while other fares including day and week tickets have been cut by 40%.
The discounts are valid on routes operated by First, D&G Bus, Stantons of Stoke, Blue Buses and Arriva Midlands.
But the reduced fares are due to be pulled from the end of March next year and one operator was concerned that funding will run out before then, meaning there would need to be a “modest increase” in fares to make up the shortfall.
David Brookes, managing director of D&G Buses, said: “The Affordable Fares Scheme has been a great success and has considerably increased the number of bus passengers, but the continual delays in setting new fares mean that it may have to end early and fares increased more than necessary, leading to a loss of passengers and fewer bus services in Stoke-on-Trent.
“The city council’s failure to make a decision could mean services will be reduced in the future.”
Mr Brookes said that proposals were presented in May and that a final decision was to be made by Stoke-on-Trent City Council in July. He added, however, that bus operators have heard nothing since.
A spokesperson for Stoke-on-Trent City Council said: “Our Affordable Fares Scheme was launched back in July 2023 to provide discounted ticket prices for passengers travelling around Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. The scheme forms part of our wider bus service improvement plan, which aims to improve public transport in the city.
“Affordable Fares has been extremely successful and has resulted in a huge increase in bus passengers in that time. To ensure we can continue the scheme for as long as possible, we are now reviewing all our options.
“It is unfortunate that bus operators have not been able to agree a single proposal but we hope to find a resolution in the very near future to ensure this scheme will continue until at least March 2025 in line with our funding agreement with Government.”
The city council spokesperson added: “It is disappointing that one of our operators felt the need to publicly express their frustration, but we would like to reassure them that we are working to find a resolution to enable the scheme to continue for as long as possible for the benefit of as many people, on as many services, as possible.”