A BUS company is adding extra vehicles to some of its most popular services.

Passengers have welcomed Bakerbus's decision to extend some of its best-used routes from Monday.

The Biddulph company says the changes have been designed to improve the services across North Staffordshire and South Cheshire.

But it is putting up most single fares by 10p on the 350 service between Hanley and Stone and the X1 service between Hanley and Beaconside, near Stafford.

Bakerbus increased the prices after discussions with Staffordshire University, because many students use the services.

Managing director Phil Baker said: "These latest revisions underline our on-going commitment to continually improve all our bus services in North Staffordshire and South Cheshire."

Next week's changes will affect the following services:

Nines (Biddulph – Hanley). There will be more journeys during Monday to Friday peak periods, with three routes extended to and from Stoke railway station, via College Road and Station Road, serving Stoke-on-Trent College, Staffordshire University and the new Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College. Bigger, easy-access buses are now used to service nearly all Nines journeys;

X38 (Biddulph – Congleton – Sandbach – Crewe). Extra journeys will be laid on during Monday to Friday peak periods and Saturday afternoons to meet growing demand for work or shopping trips in Sandbach and Crewe, particularly to Sandbach Market;

99/99A/99B (Biddulph – Congleton – Macclesfield). There will be more journeys between Congleton and Biddulph. Easy access, low-floor buses will also be introduced;

33/33A (Westlands – Newcastle). A revised route pattern, with a similar timetable, has been mapped out following consultation with bus drivers and customers. Guernsey Drive will be served every 30 minutes and updated timetable leaflets will be delivered door-to-door;

X1 (Hanley – Stoke – Stone – Beaconside). No significant changes to the timetable, but new dates of operation for the X1 express have been confirmed by Staffordshire University.

Earlier this year Bakerbus was given an award by public transport users group Aces for its service in North Staffordshire

And the group's co-ordinator Selwyn Brown, aged 72, pictured above, from Clayton, said: "They do sound as if they actually are improvements. Usually 'improvements' mean cuts.

"They are very popular services and the changes should improve them."

Staffordshire University student Graham Anthony, aged 22, of Shelton, said: "I have lectures at different times of the day and I use the bus a lot. So I think it's good they are putting on more."

Passenger Helen Cook, aged 32, of Meir Park, said: "No-one likes waiting for a bus, so more buses will mean less time spent hanging around waiting. I'm all for it."