“Work with us to build better transport and help us improve bus provision, we don’t want to see the network reduced any further.” 
That’s the call to the public and politicians by First Potteries MD Nigel Eggleton after announcing the end of 160 journeys in the area from 26 November.
All are loss-making very lightly-used early morning, evening or Sunday services. Some, mainly Sundays, will be replaced by D&G Bus.
Says Mr Eggleton: “I realise that the changes will not be well received by the few people affected, but it is important to stress that services will only be reduced or withdrawn, if people are not using the network.
“People will say ‘why is there not a bus service in the evening or on Sundays?’ The reality is, people have not used the services and as a commercial business, it is neither practical or cost-effective to run buses with no one travelling on them.
“We work closely with Stoke City Council to try and deliver a sustainable network that is fit for purpose. But providing financial support for services that are not commercially viable, is proving more difficult, due funding being greatly reduced.
“I want to reassure people that First Potteries has a long-term strategy to run a sustainable bus network within the Potteries area.
“I also want people to take ownership of their local bus network and help encourage their family, friends and work colleagues to consider using the bus as a way of travelling to work, school, appointments and for leisure activities.”
