The Potteries Motor Traction can trace its origins to the 1860s when horse-drawn trams started operations in the six towns - known as the 'potteries' area of North Staffordshire. Steam trams followed in 1881, and electric trams in 1899.

Named Potteries Electric Traction at the time (as a result of its tram fleet) the company introduced motorbuses in 1900. Eventually these replaced the trams, which were finally withdrawn in 1928, and so the company was renamed Potteries Motor Traction in 1933.