Bus rapid transit forms a major part of a transport vision published by Stoke-on-Trent City Council in early June, with the local authority believing that there is “a realistic chance” of introducing some features of that approach by 2026.
The document sets out a strategy for transport in the city to 2040. Claiming that the current position is “rigged against ordinary people trying to get by,” the publication outlines what the council claims is “a bold, practical plan to fix our transport system.”
Bus sits alongside rail and active travel in the aspirations, which were published before the outcome of the spending review was announced on 11 July. From that, Stoke-on-Trent was allocated ÂŁ42.7 million in Local Transport Grant capital funding across FY26/27 to FY29/30.
“We see improving the bus service as our priority,” the publication states. “A recognised way to do this is by creating a system known as bus rapid transit. [That] can become a backbone of our public transport network for the foreseeable future.”
In noting that the projects outlined in the transport vision are “distant,” Stoke-on-Trent City Council says that higher rates of more predictable and reliable funding are key to delivery.
It adds that bus rapid transit is favoured over light rail. That is despite prior administrations having advocated adoption of such a fixed-route alternative, including the new Coventry Very Light Rail concept.
The Stoke-on-Trent document points to existing bus rapid transit systems as evidence of the approach’s success. Among those is the Vantage corridor between Manchester city centre and Leigh, where patronage has doubled since before launch in 2016.
Bus-based provision “is more realistic, easier, better value, and more flexible… It is also quicker and less disruptive to establish,” the vision document observes. Aspirations include high-quality waiting facilities, simple ticketing, and use of clean energy vehicles.
Potential corridors would be subject to consultation and viability studies. Nevertheless, the council believes that work can start now to create pilot routes ahead of a hoped-for 2026 introduction of bus rapid transit features, although creation of dedicated bus-only roads “could take a decade or more to carefully consider and deliver.”
Stoke-on-Trent City Council adds that it will “consider the attractiveness of bus franchising options” if and when those become easier and more affordable, as is planned via the Bus Services (No.2) Bill currently making its way through parliament.
Download the transport vision document here.
