A new hourly bus service linking Stone with Rugeley will launch in September, replacing the existing service A between Stone town centre and Aston Lodge.
The new 151 service starts on Tuesday 1 September and will take over all journeys currently provided by service A, before continuing beyond Aston Lodge towards Rugeley.
Buses will run from Stone town centre to Aston Lodge Park, then continue through Burston, Sandon, Weston, Hixon, Great Haywood, Little Haywood and Colwich before reaching Rugeley.
On the return journey, the service will again call at Aston Lodge Park before arriving back in Stone town centre.
Staffordshire County Council has confirmed that all existing journeys currently provided by service A will be covered by the new 151.
It means passengers who currently use service A between Stone and Aston Lodge will move onto the new numbered service from September, while also gaining direct connections further along the A51 corridor.
The 151 will operate from Monday to Saturday, with nine journeys in each direction between just before 9am and 5.30pm.
The service is being funded by Staffordshire County Council for an initial 12 month trial. Passenger numbers will be monitored during that period, with the future of the route depending on how well it is used.
Andrew Mynors, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Connectivity, said
“It’s great news for communities along the A51 corridor that they can benefit from better transport connections through our new bus service.
“We’ve worked closely with residents and in the town and parish councils to get this trial service off the ground. We hope people make use of the service over the year from September, as forward plans will depend on passenger numbers.
“This route hasn’t had a regular service for several years and it will be a welcome addition for people of all ages.”
He added
“It’s a priority to us to ensure our residents have a choice of transport options to access work, education, health and leisure services. We continually review our bus network so that it’s efficient and targeted where services are needed most.”
Stafford Borough councillor Brendan McKeown, who represents Haywood and Hixon, said
“There are many growing communities and industrial developments along the Trent Valley and so we’re pleased the county council has worked with us to launch this 12-month trial service, which is a generous period.
“After our hard work and planning to get to this point, we hope as many people use the service as possible.”
Timetables
The published timetable lists the following main timing points. Passengers should note that not every 151 journey serves Aston Lodge Park, with the timetable showing six journeys in each direction calling there.
Stone to Rugeley
| Leaves Stone, Morrisons | Aston Lodge Park | Arrives Rugeley |
|---|---|---|
| 8.54am | Does not serve | 9.38am |
| 9.46am | 9.53am | 10.38am |
| 10.46am | 10.53am | 11.38am |
| 11.46am | 11.53am | 12.38pm |
| 1.46pm | 1.53pm | 2.38pm |
| 2.46pm | 2.53pm | 3.38pm |
| 3.46pm | 3.53pm | 4.38pm |
| 4.34pm | Does not serve | 5.18pm |
| 5.34pm | Does not serve | 6.18pm |
Rugeley to Stone
| Leaves Rugeley | Aston Lodge Park | Arrives Stone, Morrisons |
|---|---|---|
| 8.43am | 9.27am | 9.37am |
| 9.43am | 10.27am | 10.37am |
| 10.43am | 11.27am | 11.37am |
| 11.43am | 12.27pm | 12.37pm |
| 12.43pm | 1.27pm | 1.37pm |
| 2.43pm | 3.27pm | 3.37pm |
| 3.43pm | Does not serve | 4.29pm |
| 4.43pm | Does not serve | 5.29pm |
| 5.23pm | Does not serve | 6.09pm |
Full timetable – https://bustimes.org/services/151-stone-rugeley?calendar=9440172
