New bus service trial arrives at Keele University – Newcastle-under ...

Service K, operated by D&G Bus, links the Science and Innovation Park – a regional centre of excellence serving biotech, medical, energy, ICT and service industries – with Chesterton for the first time via the Keele campus, Silverdale, Knutton and Waterhayes.

Buses – stopping at the Caudwell International Children’s Centre, Darwin Building and halls of residence as well as Bradwell Hospital and Lymedale and Parkhouse industrial estates – run up to every 30 minutes, between 7.25am and 5.25pm, on weekdays and every hour, also between 7.25am and 5.25pm, on Saturdays.

The service, part of a two-year trial, operates under contract to Staffordshire County Council and is currently subsidised by a £371,000 contribution from the Newcastle Town Deal to help it become established, with further funding available from the government’s Bus Service Improvement Plan.

It is one of four projects within the sustainable transport element of the £23.6 million Town Deal –  which is led by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and Keele University with support from partners – designed to improve bus infrastructure and services across the borough to open up growth opportunities through enhanced physical and digital connectivity, aligned with clean and sustainable economic development.

The Newcastle Town Deal area covers the urban part of Newcastle, principally the part bounded by the A500 and M6, down to Talke roundabout.

Council Leader Simon Tagg said:

I’m delighted that the new K bus service trial is now live thanks to a major investment funded by the Newcastle Town Deal. It connects Keele University with key areas where staff, students and science park professionals live for the first time – providing them and other residents with a convenient, affordable and more sustainable way to access the venue – and also provides better connections to Lymedale and Parkhouse industrial estates which are also major employment sites for local people.

It’s hoped that this investment in public transport will improve the quality of the bus network, enhance passenger experience and in turn, encourage more people to travel by bus instead of using the car. Buses are better for the environment than petrol or diesel cars because they produce less carbon dioxide per passenger. The council is working hard to achieve net zero through its own estate and operations by 2030 and this service, alongside other measures, could contribute towards its 2050 goal for the wider borough.

The borough council has helped to secure enviable amounts of government funding to regenerate Newcastle and deliver long-term economic and productivity growth. It’s fantastic to see the individual approved projects become a reality, making a tangible difference to residents’ lives.”

Other transport-related measures in the Town Deal include plans for a “green” Newcastle bus station, powered by solar energy; maximising connectivity between Newcastle town centre and Keele University via an express X25 service; real time passenger information on the most used bus stops in the area and a feasibility study into making the fleet on the A525 Keele corridor more environmentally-friendly.

Sophie Borman, Keele University Students’ Union’s Experience and Community Officer, said:

We’re really pleased to see this new bus service connecting our campus with Newcastle-under-Lyme, providing greater accessibility to education for our students, as a reliable and cost-effective transport option. The fact this is part of a project to make travel in the borough more environmentally friendly is also great to see, as this is an issue that’s close to many of our students’ hearts. This new service was shaped by a consultation involving Keele students and colleagues, and it is great to see our students’ feedback being acted upon.”

More information about service K – including the timetable, ticket prices and a live tracker – is available on D&G’s website.

Kevin Crawford, Area Operations Manager for D&G Bus, added:

We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Staffordshire County Council, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and Keele University to deliver this brand-new service which introduces new bus links for students, university employees and local residents. Along with the £2 capped single fare and a range of multi-journey saver tickets at discount prices, travelling by service K in particular makes bus travel a viable alternative to using the car for many journeys – go on, get on-board.”

Kidsgrove Town Deal has also received £16.9 million to deliver five transformational projects in the town.