A new bus service connecting Stone and Rugeley has begun operating as a year-long trial funded by Staffordshire County Council.
The Chaserider 151 started running on Tuesday 1 September, with the first Saturday service on 5 September coinciding with Stone Farmers' Market in the High Street. Stafford Borough Councillor Brendan McKeown travelled on the service from Back Lane in Hixon towards Stone, joining a group of passengers.
Councillor McKeown reported that 15 passengers got off in Stone around 30 minutes after departing Hixon and headed into the town centre. He described a "great atmosphere on board", with passengers sharing information about places to visit after arriving.
The return journey to Rugeley later that day carried 21 passengers, with more boarding along the route.
Route and communities served
The 151 runs Monday to Saturday between Stone and Rugeley, serving Aston Lodge, Burston, Sandon, Weston, Hixon, Great Haywood, Little Haywood and Colwich.
Trial monitoring and next steps
Staffordshire County Council will monitor passenger numbers throughout the trial period. Future plans for the route will depend on how much the service is used during the year-long trial.
