Children under 15 have been prohibited from travelling unaccompanied on buses during evening hours in Stoke-on-Trent as part of efforts to address anti-social behaviour at the city's transport hubs. First Bus implemented the restriction on Friday 21 August 2026, requiring youngsters to be accompanied by an adult on services to and from Hanley Bus Station after 18:00.
The operator confirmed that the Department for Transport approved the measure following consultations with Staffordshire Police and Stoke-on-Trent City Council. Bus drivers have been instructed to use their discretion when deciding whether to permit unaccompanied children to board if safety concerns arise.
Rebecca Arrowsmith, general manager of First Bus in the area, stated that the restriction responds to escalating disruption.
The safety of our staff and customers is always our number one priority and we will always take steps to ensure everyone on board can travel in comfort and without nuisance. This measure has the full support of the council and will be kept under daily review. We hope to be able to end the restriction as soon as possible.
The ban affects 32 bus services across the Potteries and comes during a period when children aged 5 to 15 can travel free on eligible services across England from 1 to 31 August 2026 as part of a national government initiative. According to First Bus, eligible young people aged 5 to 15 can travel free across the majority of its services in August, with the free-travel offer running until the end of the month.
Why has the restriction been introduced?
Growing incidents of anti-social behaviour at Hanley Bus Station and on board services prompted the decision. The city has been working to address transport-related disruption through multiple channels. Stoke-on-Trent City Council deployed four transport safety officers to patrol the city's bus network, including Hanley and Longton bus stations, to deter and reduce anti-social behaviour.
Will other operators follow?
First Bus is not alone in taking action. A second major operator has announced similar measures. According to reports, D&G Bus will enforce a comparable under-15 accompaniment restriction from Saturday 22 August 2026, signalling a coordinated approach across the city's bus services to tackle the same issues.
How long will the restriction last?
First Bus has stated that the measure will be kept under daily review, with the operator expressing hope that it can be lifted as soon as circumstances permit. The restriction is not intended as a permanent policy but rather a temporary response to current conditions. The national free bus travel offer for children runs until 31 August 2026, meaning the restriction will operate during the final weeks of that promotional period.
Key Facts
- The restriction applies to children under 15 on 32 bus services to and from Hanley Bus Station after 18:00, starting on Friday 21 August 2026
- The measure was approved by the Department for Transport following discussions with Staffordshire Police and the city council
- Bus drivers have discretion to prevent unaccompanied children from boarding if they have safety concerns
- D&G Bus will implement a similar restriction from Saturday 22 August 2026
- The restriction operates during the national summer free bus travel offer for children aged 5 to 15, which runs until 31 August 2026
