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{{short description|Transdev owned bus operator}}
{{Short description|Transdev-owned bus operator in England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox Bus transit
{{Infobox Bus transit
|name =The Burnley Bus Company
|name = The Burnley Bus Company
|logo = TheBurnleyBusCompanyLogo.svg
|logo = TheBurnleyBusCompanyLogo.svg
|image =Transdev Burnley 2768 BF63 HCH.jpg
|image = WitchWay 2014.jpg
|parent = [[Transdev Blazefield|Transdev]]
|parent = [[Transdev Blazefield]]
|founded = {{Start date and age|1924|df=yes}}
|founded = {{Start date and age|1924|08|df=yes}}
|headquarters = [[Harrogate]], [[North Yorkshire]]<br>England
|headquarters = [[Harrogate]], [[North Yorkshire]], England
|service_area = {{plainlist|
|service_area = {{plainlist|
* [[Greater Manchester]]
* [[Greater Manchester]]
* [[Lancashire]]}}
* [[Lancashire]]}}
|service_type = Bus and coach
|service_type = Bus
|depots = 1
|depots = 1
|fleet = 97 (at October 2013)
|fleet = 87 (April 2024)
|website = {{url|https://www.transdevbus.co.uk/burnley/services}}
|website = {{official website}}
|leader_type = Managing Director
|leader_type = Managing Director
|leader = Alex Hornby}}
|leader =
|stations=Burnley Bus Station}}

The '''Burnley Bus Company''' operates both local and regional bus services in [[Greater Manchester]] and [[Lancashire]], England. It is a subsidiary of [[Transdev Blazefield]], which operates bus services across Greater Manchester, Lancashire, [[North Yorkshire]] and [[West Yorkshire]].
'''The Burnley Bus Company''' operates both local and regional bus services in [[Greater Manchester]] and [[Lancashire]], England. It is a subsidiary of [[Transdev Blazefield]], which operates bus services across Greater Manchester, Lancashire, [[North Yorkshire]] and [[West Yorkshire]].


==History==
==History==
[[File:Top of Gillians Lane, Barnoldswick - geograph.org.uk - 630391.jpg|thumb|[[East Lancashire Coachbuilders]] bodied [[Bristol VR]] in [[Barnoldswick]] in April 1984]]
The Burnley, Colne & Nelson Joint Transport Committee was established in April 1933, merging the three municipal tramway and bus operations of the respective towns.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 April 1933 |title=Municipal purchases and proposals |url=https://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/7th-april-1933/45/municipal-purchases-and-proposals |website=[[Commercial Motor]] |page=45}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=11 February 1938 |title=Transport unification brings good results |url=https://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/11th-february-1938/86/transport-unification-brings-good-results |website=[[Commercial Motor]] |page=86}}</ref> The tramway network was progressively abandoned, with the last closing in May 1935.
In August 1924, [[Burnley Corporation Tramways|Burnley Corporation Transport]] operated their first bus service between Rawtenstall and Burnley Summit.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=30 January 1942 |title=10 years' all-bus operation at Rawtenstall |url=https://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/30th-january-1942/24/10-years-all-bus-operatia-at-rawtenstall |work=[[The Commercial Motor]] |page=24 |access-date=25 April 2022}}</ref> The Burnley, Colne & Nelson Joint Transport Committee was established in April 1933, merging the three municipal tramway and bus operations of the respective towns.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=7 April 1933 |title=Municipal purchases and proposals |url=https://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/7th-april-1933/45/municipal-purchases-and-proposals |work=The Commercial Motor |page=45 |access-date=25 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=11 February 1938 |title=Transport unification brings good results |url=https://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/11th-february-1938/86/transport-unification-brings-good-results |website=The Commercial Motor |page=86 |access-date=25 April 2022}}</ref> The tramway network was progressively abandoned, with the last line closing in May 1935.


Following local government reorganisation in April 1974, the boroughs of [[Colne]] and [[Nelson, Lancashire|Nelson]] were amalgamated to form the present-day [[Borough of Pendle]]. Subsequently, transport operation became known as the Burnley & Pendle Joint Transport Committee.
Following local government reorganisation in April 1974, the boroughs of [[Colne]] and [[Nelson, Lancashire|Nelson]] were amalgamated to form the present-day [[Borough of Pendle]]. Subsequently, the transport operation became known as the Burnley & Pendle Joint Transport Committee.


⚫
In 1986, as part of the [[Bus deregulation in Great Britain|deregulation of bus services]] and to comply with the [[Transport Act 1985]], the company's assets were transferred to a new legal entity named the Burnley & Pendle Transport Company. Deregulation opened Burnley & Pendle's routes to competition from other operators, with [[Blackburn Transport]], Tyrer Tours and Victoria Coaches establishing competing services. To stave off the competition, five [[AEC Routemaster]] double-deck vehicles were purchased, with each named after a character from the television series ''[[EastEnders]]''.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=15 April 2022 |title=More Bromley than Burnley |url=https://www.keybuses.com/article/more-bromley-burnley |magazine=[[Buses (magazine)|Buses]] |issue=806 |page=60 |location=Stamford |publisher=Key Publishing |access-date=25 April 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Burnley & Pendle also successfully tendered a number of [[Transport for Greater Manchester|Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive]]-contracted bus services, allowing for operations to extend to [[Blackburn]], [[Bury, Greater Manchester|Bury]], [[Manchester]], [[Preston, Lancashire|Preston]], [[Rawtenstall]], [[Rochdale]] and [[Skipton]].
In 1986, as part of the [[Bus deregulation in Great Britain|deregulation of bus services]]<nowiki/>and to comply with the [[Transport Act 1985]], the company's assets were transferred to a new legal entity. The operation was rebranded as the Burnley & Pendle Transport Company.


===Stagecoach and Blazefield ownership===
⚫
Deregulation opened Burnley & Pendle's routes to competition from other operators, with [[Blackburn Transport]], Tyrer Tours and Victoria Coaches establishing competing services. To stave off the competition, five [[AEC Routemaster]] double-deck vehicles were purchased, with each named after a character from the television series ''[[EastEnders]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 April 2022 |title=More Bromley than Burnley |work=[[Buses (magazine)|Buses]] |url=https://www.keybuses.com/article/more-bromley-burnley |access-date=25 April 2022}}</ref>
In April 1996, [[Pendle Borough Council]] sold their share of the company to [[Stagecoach Holdings]]. Burnley Council was unhappy with the decision, and stated that they would never consider selling their share.<ref>{{cite news |date=29 August 1996 |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/6198431.deal-struck-stagecoach/ |title=Deal is struck with Stagecoach |newspaper=[[Lancashire Telegraph]] |location=Blackburn |access-date=2 November 2024}}</ref> In response, Stagecoach proposed up a multi-million pound investment plan for the area, but Burnley Council could not meet their share unless it cut other council-supported services. Burnley Council eventually reversed their decision in March 1997 and sold out to Stagecoach, a deal valued at £2.85&nbsp;million ({{Inflation|UK|2,850,000|1997|fmt=eq|r=-3|cursign=£}}).<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 April 1997 |title=Workers' dismay as Stagecoach axes jobs |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/6183210.workers-dismay-stagecoach-axes-jobs/ |access-date=25 April 2022 |website=Lancashire Telegraph |location=Blackburn |language=en}}</ref> Initially branded Stagecoach Burnley & Pendle, the company was encompassed within [[Stagecoach North West|Stagecoach Ribble]] in May 2000.


In April 2001, Stagecoach sold their operations in [[Blackburn]], [[Bolton]] and [[Clitheroe]] to the [[Transdev Blazefield|Blazefield Group]], which rebranded them as Burnley & Pendle and Lancashire United. The sale was valued at £13 million.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |date=4 May 2001 |title=No change as depots sold |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/6031677.no-change-depots-sold/ |work=Lancashire Telegraph |location=Blackburn |access-date=2 November 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release |date=26 April 2001 |title=Stagecoach sells some North-West operations for £13 million |url=http://www.stagecoachgroup.com/sgc/mediainfo/releases/2001/2001-04-26/ |access-date=25 April 2022 |publisher=[[Stagecoach Group]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050318042609/http://www.stagecoachgroup.com/sgc/mediainfo/releases/2001/2001-04-26/ |archive-date=18 March 2005}}</ref> Following the sale, Blazefield purchased a total of 15 [[Plaxton President]] bodied [[Volvo B7TL]] double-deck and 25 [[Wright Renown]] bodied [[Volvo B10BLE]] single-deck vehicles for Burnley & Pendle as part of a fleet renewal programme; prior to the sale of Burnley & Pendle, many of the newer vehicles Stagecoach purchased for the fleet were transferred to other subsidiaries, with Burnley & Pendle receiving older vehicles as replacements.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Barrow |first=David |url=https://archive.org/details/cbw-issue485/page/26/mode/2up |date=2 August 2001 |issue=485 |pages=26-27 |title=Trail-blazing in the North West |magazine=[[Coach & Bus Week]] |location=Peterborough |publisher=Emap |access-date=2 November 2024}}</ref>
Deregulation also saw many [[Transport for Greater Manchester|Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive]] services contracted out. Burnley & Pendle successfully tendered a number of routes with operations extending to [[Blackburn]], [[Bury, Greater Manchester|Bury]], [[Manchester]], [[Preston, Lancashire|Preston]], [[Rawtenstall]], [[Rochdale]] and [[Skipton]].


⚫
===Transdev era===
In April 1996, [[Pendle Borough Council]] sold their share of the company to [[Stagecoach North West|Stagecoach]]. Burnley Council was unhappy with the decision, and stated that they would never consider selling their share.<ref>{{cite news |date=29 August 1996 |title=Deal is struck with Stagecoach |newspaper=[[Bolton News]]}}</ref> In response, Stagecoach proposed up a multi-million pound investment plan for the area, but Burnley Council could not meet their share unless it cut other council-supported services.
⚫
In January 2006, French-based transport group [[Transdev]] acquired the Blazefield Group, along with 305 vehicles.<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 January 2006 |title=Transdev acquires Blazefield Group |url=http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=448&categoryid=0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029195107if_/http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=448&categoryid=0 |archive-date=29 October 2013 |access-date=21 April 2022 |work=Bus & Coach Professional}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Briggs |first=Ian |date=9 January 2006 |title=A new stop for Blazefield |url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/analysis/a-new-stop-for-blazefield-1-2600335 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415092036/http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/analysis/a-new-stop-for-blazefield-1-2600335 |archive-date=15 April 2016 |access-date=21 April 2022 |work=[[The Yorkshire Post]] |location=Leeds}}</ref> Locally, the company was rebranded under the name Transdev in Burnley & Pendle.


⚫
In August 2006, [[Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council]] announced that after 125 years of municipal ownership, [[Blackburn Transport]] had been sold to Transdev Blazefield. The sale was finalised in January 2007.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 August 2006 |title=Chester for sale and Blackburn for Blazefield |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812175010/http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=939&categoryid=0 |url=http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=939&categoryid=0 |archive-date=12 August 2014 |access-date=25 April 2022 |work=Bus & Coach Professional}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bartlett |first=David |date=16 August 2006 |title=Burnley buys up Blackburn buses |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/881010.burnley-buys-blackburn-buses/ |access-date=25 April 2022 |work=Lancashire Telegraph |location=Blackburn |language=en}}</ref> This was followed in August 2007 by both Accrington Transport and [[Transdev Northern Blue|Northern Blue]] being acquired, with both operators' staff and combined 65 vehicles transferring to Transdev.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Watkinson |first=David |date=6 August 2007 |title=Bus firms in takeover |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/1598862.bus-firms-takeover/ |access-date=25 April 2022 |work=Lancashire Telegraph |location=Blackburn |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=9 August 2007 |title=Blazefield buys again in Lancashire |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813175657/http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=1509&categoryid=0 |url=http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=1509&categoryid=0 |archive-date=13 August 2012 |access-date=25 April 2022 |work=Bus & Coach Professional}}</ref> After initially being maintained as a separate brand, in September 2009, Transdev Northern Blue was integrated into the Transdev Burnley & Pendle business.
In March 1997, Burnley Council reversed their decision and sold out to Stagecoach – a deal valued at £2.85 million.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 April 1997 |title=Workers' dismay as Stagecoach axes jobs |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/6183210.workers-dismay-stagecoach-axes-jobs/ |access-date=25 April 2022 |website=[[Lancashire Telegraph]] |language=en}}</ref> Initially branded Stagecoach Burnley & Pendle, the company was encompassed within [[Stagecoach North West|Stagecoach Ribble]] in May 2000.


⚫
In July 2017, the company was again rebranded, now operating as '''The Burnley Bus Company'''.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Quaynor |first=Aban |date=23 July 2017 |title=New modern buses are just the ticket for customers |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/15428781.new-modern-buses-just-ticket-burnley-customers/ |access-date=25 April 2022 |work=Lancashire Telegraph |location=Blackburn |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite magazine |date=17 August 2017 |title=£4.5m Versas revitalise Burnley Mainline |url=https://www.keybuses.com/article/ps45m-versas-revitalise-burnley-mainline |work=Buses |issue=750 |page=7 |location=Stamford |publisher=Key Publishing |access-date=2 November 2024}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Harrison |first=Matt |date=2 August 2017 |title=Mainline bursts into Burnley with a Big Bus Bash |url=https://transportdesigned.com/mainline-bursts-burnley-big-bus-bash/,%20https://transportdesigned.com/mainline-bursts-burnley-big-bus-bash/ |access-date=25 April 2022 |website=Transport Designed |language=en-GB}}</ref>
In April 2001, Stagecoach sold their operations in [[Blackburn]], [[Bolton]] and [[Clitheroe]] to the [[Transdev Blazefield|Blazefield Group]], which rebranded them as Burnley & Pendle and Lancashire United. The sale was valued at £13 million.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 April 2001 |title=Stagecoach sells some North-West operations for £13 million |url=https://m.stagecoachgroup.com/media/news-releases/archive/2001-04-26.aspx |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=[[Stagecoach Group|Stagecoach]]}}</ref> Prior to the sale, many of the newer vehicles purchased following earlier investment by Stagecoach were transferred to other subsidiaries, being replaced by older vehicles.


== Services and branding ==
Following the sale, Blazefield Group purchased a total of 15 [[Volvo B7TL]]/[[Plaxton President]] double-deck and 25 [[Wright Renown|Volvo B10BLE]]/[[Wright Renown]] single-deck vehicles, as part of a fleet renewal program.
{{multiple images
| total_width = 350px
| image1 = Burnley & Pendle 702.jpg
| image2 = Transdev Burnley & Pendle bus Volvo B7RLE Wright Eclipse II in Barnoldswick, Lancashire 3 May 2009.jpg
| footer = Branding: past and present
| image3 = Transdev Burnley ^ Pendle 2772 BF63HCK - Flickr - Alan Sansbury.jpg
| image4 = No. 264, YJ17FVK, Burnley & Pendle. Steeton.jpg
| perrow = 2/2
}}


⚫
=== The Burnley Bus Company ===
⚫
In January 2006, French-based operator [[Transdev]] acquired the Blazefield Group, along with 305 vehicles.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 January 2006 |title=Transdev aquires Blazefield Group |url=http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=448&categoryid=0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029195107if_/http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=448&categoryid=0 |archive-date=29 October 2013 |access-date=2022-04-21 |website=Bus & Coach Professional}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Briggs |first=Ian |date=9 January 2006 |title=A new stop for Blazefield |url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/analysis/a-new-stop-for-blazefield-1-2600335 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415092036/http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/analysis/a-new-stop-for-blazefield-1-2600335 |archive-date=15 April 2016 |access-date=21 April 2022 |website=[[Yorkshire Post]]}}</ref> Locally, the company was rebranded under the name Transdev in Burnley & Pendle.
⚫
In July 2017, a rebrand of the company commenced. Starting with the introduction of a new fleet of [[Optare Versa]] single-deck vehicles for Mainline,<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> one of the vehicles was branded in the new two-tone orange livery. This was followed shortly after by a refurbished fleet of [[Wright Renown]] bodied [[Volvo B10BLE]] single-deck vehicles being repainted into the new livery.


Local bus services operating in and around the town of [[Burnley]] are encompassed within The Burnley Bus Company brand, with buses serving Stoops (1), [[Higherford]], Nelson & Colne (2), Nelson (2A), Pike Hill (3), [[Worsthorne]] (4), [[Harle Syke]] and Rosegrove (5) and [[Accrington]] (9).
⚫
In August 2006, [[Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council]] announced that after 125 years of municipal ownership, [[Blackburn Transport]] had been sold to Transdev Blazefield. The sale was finalised in January 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 August 2006 |title=Chester for sale and Blackburn for Blazefield |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812175010/http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=939&categoryid=0 |archive-url=http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=939&categoryid=0 |archive-date=12 August 2014 |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=Bus & Coach Professional}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bartlett |first=David |date=16 August 2006 |title=Burnley buys up Blackburn buses |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/881010.burnley-buys-blackburn-buses/ |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=[[Lancashire Telegraph]] |language=en}}</ref>


⚫
=== Mainline ===
In August 2007, Accrington Transport and [[Transdev Northern Blue|Northern Blue]] were acquired, along with the transfer of staff and 65 vehicles.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Watkinson |first=David |date=6 August 2007 |title=Bus firms in takeover |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/1598862.bus-firms-takeover/ |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=[[Lancashire Telegraph]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=9 August 2007 |title=Blazefield buys again in Lancashire |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813175657/http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=1509&categoryid=0 |archive-url=http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=1509&categoryid=0 |archive-date=13 August 2012 |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=Bus & Coach Professional}}</ref> In September 2009, Transdev Northern Blue was integrated into the Transdev Burnley & Pendle business.
⚫
The Mainline brand encompasses six services, which operate between Accrington (M1), Clitheroe (M2) and Burnley via [[Padiham]], as well as between Burnley and [[Trawden]] (M3), [[Keighley]] (M4), [[Barnoldswick]] (M5) and [[Skipton]] (M6) via [[Nelson, Lancashire|Nelson]] and [[Colne]]. In July 2017, the services were rebranded and upgraded to a fleet of [[Optare Versa]] single-deck vehicles, branded in a two-tone orange and burgundy livery.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> Features include free WiFi, USB and wireless charging and audio-visual next stop announcements.


⚫
=== The Witch Way ===
⚫
In July 2017, the company was again rebranded, now operating as '''The Burnley Bus Company'''.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Quaynor |first=Aban |date=23 July 2017 |title=New modern buses are just the ticket for customers |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/15428781.new-modern-buses-just-ticket-burnley-customers/ |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=[[Lancashire Telegraph]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=September 2017 |title=£4.5 million Versas revitalise Burnley Mainline |pages=7 |work=[[Buses (magazine)|Buses]] |issue=750}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Harrison |first=Matt |date=2017-08-02 |title=Mainline bursts into Burnley with a Big Bus Bash |url=https://transportdesigned.com/mainline-bursts-burnley-big-bus-bash/,%20https://transportdesigned.com/mainline-bursts-burnley-big-bus-bash/ |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=Transport Designed |language=en-GB}}</ref>
{{For|more information about this service|The Witch Way}}
The Witch Way is a flagship service, which operates between Burnley and [[Manchester]] via [[Rawtenstall]] and [[M66 motorway|M66]]. The service is operated by a fleet of high-specification [[Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC|Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 MMC]] double-deck vehicles, which were introduced into service in December 2020,<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 December 2020 |title=Transdev Witchway route gets 'Sky Class' Enviro400 fleet |url=https://www.route-one.net/bus-routes/transdev-witchway-route-gets-sky-class-enviro400-fleet/ |access-date=25 April 2022 |work=routeone |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kelly |first=Robert |date=2 February 2021 |title=Transdev's £3.8 million investment on Sky Class buses 'will boost coronavirus recovery' |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/19049879.transdevs-3-8million-investment-sky-class-buses-will-boost-coronavirus-recovery/ |access-date=25 April 2022 |work=Lancashire Telegraph |location=Blackburn |language=en}}</ref> replacing the former allocation of [[Wright Eclipse Gemini 2]] bodied [[Volvo B9TL]] double-deck vehicles introduced in October 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 November 2013 |title=New buses in £3m. Witch Way investment |url=https://www.burnleyexpress.net/news/new-buses-in-ps3m-witch-way-investment-2674458 |access-date=25 April 2022 |website=[[Burnley Express]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=27 October 2015 |title=East Lancs brand's 10th anniversary |url=https://www.route-one.net/news/east_lancs_brands_10th_anniversary/ |access-date=25 April 2022 |website=routeone |language=en-GB |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425111601/https://www.route-one.net/news/east_lancs_brands_10th_anniversary/ |archive-date=25 April 2022}}</ref> Vehicles are branded in a two-tone orange and black livery, with features including free WiFi, USB and wireless charging, tables and audio-visual next stop announcements voiced by ''[[Coronation Street]]'' actress [[Jennie McAlpine]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Harrigan |first=Joel |date=11 December 2020 |title=Corrie star Jennie McAlpine lends 'warm Northern voice' to new Witchway buses |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/18936693.corrie-star-jennie-mcalpine-lends-warm-northern-voice-new-witchway-buses/ |access-date=18 December 2020 |work=Lancashire Telegraph |location=Blackburn |language=en}}</ref>


== Services and branding ==
== Former Services and Brands ==
⚫
=== Burnley Bus Company ===
⚫
In July 2017, a rebrand of the company commenced. Starting with the introduction of a new fleet of [[Optare Versa]] single-deck vehicles for '''Mainline''',<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> one of the vehicles was branded in the new two-tone orange livery. This was followed shortly after by a refurbished fleet of [[Wright Renown|Volvo B10BLE]]/[[Wright Renown]] single-deck vehicles being repainted into the new livery. Local bus services operating in and around the town of [[Burnley]] are encompassed within '''The Burnley Bus Company''' brand, with buses serving Stoops Estate (1), [[Higherford]] (2), Pike Hill and [[Worsthorne]] (3 and 4), [[Harle Syke]] and Rose Grove (5) and [[Accrington]] (9).


=== Ribble Country ===
=== CityZap ===
In November 2017, a [[limited-stop]] express service running directly between [[Leeds]] and [[Manchester Chorlton Street coach station|Manchester]] via the [[M62 motorway|M62]] was introduced, branded as CityZap. Similar to [[Yorkshire Coastliner#CityZap|the other CityZap service]] between [[York]] and Leeds operated by sister company [[Yorkshire Coastliner]], the service aimed to attract motorists and provide a competitive alternative to the railway.<ref>{{cite news |date=19 November 2017 |title=Transdev goes for second Zap and ups route 36 |work=[[Buses (magazine)|Buses]] |pages=13 |issue=752}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Dougall |first=Emily |date=14 November 2017 |title=Transdev launches new Leeds-Manchester Cityzap express |url=https://cbwmagazine.com/transdev-launches-new-leeds-manchester-cityzap-express/ |access-date=21 April 2022 |website=[[Coach & Bus Week]]}}</ref>
In partnership with [[Lancashire County Council]], the '''Ribble Country''' brand was introduced in May 2021 – creating 50 jobs in the local area.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jacobs |first=Bill |date=25 March 2021 |title=New Ribble Country buses for Burnley, Pendle and Ribble Valley |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/19187276.new-ribble-country-buses-burnley-pendle-ribble-valley/ |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=[[Lancashire Telegraph]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Crawford |first=Alex |date=2021-04-19 |title=Transdev launches new minibus services in Lancashire with Mellor |url=https://www.route-one.net/news/transdev-launches-new-minibus-services-in-lancashire-with-mellor/ |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=Routeone |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Peter |date=2021-04-20 |title=Transdev invests £2.4m and creates 50 jobs to launch Ribble Country |url=https://cbwmagazine.com/transdev-invests-2-4m-and-creates-50-jobs-to-launch-ribble-country/ |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=Coach & Bus Week |language=en-GB}}</ref> The brand encompasses a number of council-contracted services running in and around Burnley, [[Clitheroe]] and Pendle. Services are operated by a fleet of [[Mellor Strata]] minibuses, branded in a two-tone orange and cream livery. Features include audio-visual next stop announcements. The brand is a nod to the heritage of the routes, once operated by [[Ribble Motor Services]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Peter |date=2021-05-05 |title=Historic name returns as Ribble Country launches |url=https://cbwmagazine.com/historic-name-returns-as-ribble-country-launches/ |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=Coach & Bus Week |language=en-GB}}</ref> with interior branding showcasing the locally well-known Betty's Bus – named after local driver.


The service was notable for its use of [[Satellite navigation device|sat-nav equipment]] to choose the quickest route and avoid congestions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Sara |date=2018-02-08 |title=Competition across the Pennines: can coach keep up? |url=https://www.transportfocus.org.uk/blog/competition-across-pennines-can-coach-keep/ |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=Transport Focus |language=en-US}}</ref>
⚫
=== Mainline ===
⚫
The '''Mainline''' encompasses five services, which operate between Accrington (M1), Clitheroe (M2) and Burnley via [[Padiham]], as well as between Burnley and [[Trawden]] (M3), [[Keighley]] (M4) and [[Barnoldswick]] (M5) via [[Nelson, Lancashire|Nelson]] and [[Colne]]. In July 2017, the services were rebranded and upgraded to a fleet of [[Optare Versa]] single-deck vehicles, branded in a two-tone orange and burgundy livery.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> Features include free WiFi, USB and wireless charging and audio-visual next stop announcements.


The service operated with a fleet of four [[Wright Eclipse#Second generation (2008–2015)|Wright Eclipse Urban 2]] bodied [[Volvo B7RLE]] vehicles, branded for the route in a silver/red livery, and featured free WiFi and USB charging capabilities.
⚫
=== The Witch Way ===
[[File:Transdev Burnley ^ Pendle 2772 BF63HCK - Flickr - Alan Sansbury.jpg|thumb|A Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini 2, branded in the former The Witch Way livery.]]
'''The Witch Way''' is a flagship service, which operates between Burnley and [[Manchester]] via [[Rawtenstall]] and [[M66 motorway|M66]]. This service is operated by a fleet of high-specification [[Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC|Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 MMC]] double-deck vehicles, which were introduced into service in December 2020.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2020-12-11 |title=TV star Jennie McAlpine launches Transdev UK’s new Witchway buses |url=https://www.transdev.com/en/news-en/star-jennie-mcalpine-transdev-uk-witchway-buses/ |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=[[Transdev]] |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-12-09 |title=Transdev Witchway route gets 'Sky Class' Enviro400 fleet |url=https://www.route-one.net/bus-routes/transdev-witchway-route-gets-sky-class-enviro400-fleet/ |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=Routeone |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Robert |date=2 February 2021 |title=Transdev’s £3.8million investment on Sky Class buses 'will boost coronavirus recovery' |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/19049879.transdevs-3-8million-investment-sky-class-buses-will-boost-coronavirus-recovery/ |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=Lancashire Telegraph |language=en}}</ref> The vehicles replaced the former allocation of [[Volvo B9TL]]/[[Wright Gemini 2]] double-deck vehicles, which were introduced in October 2013, and subsequently redeployed within the fleet.


The service was withdrawn in July 2018, owing to low passenger numbers.<ref>{{cite web |last=Deakin |first=Tim |date=6 August 2018 |title=Cityzap ends Leeds to Manchester service |url=https://www.route-one.net/uncategorized/cityzap_ends_leeds_to_manchester_service/ |access-date=21 April 2022 |website=Routeone}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=21 June 2018 |title=Transdev adds Jets and reduces Zap |work=[[Buses (magazine)|Buses]] |pages=18 |issue=760}}</ref>
Vehicles are branded in a two-tone orange and black livery, with features including free WiFi, USB and wireless charging, tables and audio-visual next stop announcements voiced by [[Coronation Street|''Coronation Street'']] actress, [[Jennie McAlpine]].<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Harrigan |first=Joel |date=11 December 2020 |title=Corrie star Jennie McAlpine lends 'warm Northern voice' to new Witchway buses |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/18936693.corrie-star-jennie-mcalpine-lends-warm-northern-voice-new-witchway-buses/ |access-date=2020-12-18 |website=[[Lancashire Telegraph]] |language=en}}</ref>


=== Pendle Wizz ===
== Fleet and operations ==
{{unreferenced|section|date=April 2023}}
'''Pendle Wizz''' formerly operated under '''The Witch Way''' brand, as a through service between [[Skipton]] and [[Manchester]] via Burnley. However, owing to poor timekeeping and increasing traffic congestion in Manchester, the route was curtailed in June 2020, and now operates between Skipton and Burnley via [[M65 motorway|M65]], with onward connections for Manchester.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 May 2020 |title=Pendle Wizz is the new name for quick buses between Burnley, Colne and Skipton |url=https://www.transdevbus.co.uk/witchway/pendle-wizz-new-name-quick-buses-between-burnley-colne-and-skipton |access-date=25 April 2022 |website=[[Transdev]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Quayle |first=Ewan |date=2 June 2020 |title=Travel from Burnley to Skipton? Your rebranded ‘Pendle Wizz’ journeys start this week |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/18490577.travel-burnley-skipton-rebranded-pendle-wizz-journeys-start-week/ |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=[[Lancashire Telegraph]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-06-01 |title=Pendle Wizz brand launched by Transdev |url=https://www.route-one.net/operators/pendle-wizz-brand-launched-by-transdev/ |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=Routeone |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=11 June 2020 |title=#LockdownLaunch: Get ready to Pendle Wizz by Transdev in the UK |url=https://www.transdev.com/en/news-en/get-ready-pendle-wizz-transdev-uk-lockdown-launch/ |access-date=25 November 2020 |website=[[Transdev]]}}</ref> The service is operated by a fleet of [[Volvo B7TL]]/[[Wright Eclipse Gemini]] double-deck vehicles, branded in a two-tone orange and purple livery. Features include free WiFi and USB charging.
=== Depots ===
As of April 2022, the company operates from a single depot in [[Burnley]], which it shares with [[Rosso (bus company)|Rosso]].

=== Vehicles ===
As of March 2024, the fleet consists of 79 buses. The fleet consists of diesel-powered single and double-deck buses manufactured by [[Wrightbus]], [[Plaxton]], [[Alexander Dennis]] and [[Optare]], as well as minibuses manufactured by [[Mellor Coachcraft|Mellor]].


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

==Sources==
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite book|last=Catlow|first=A|title=Burnley, Colne and Nelson|date=November 1985|publisher=Curwen Institute|isbn=978-0907941194}}
*{{cite book|last=Catlow|first=A|title=Burnley, Colne and Nelson|date=November 1985|publisher=Curwen Institute|isbn=978-0907941194}}
{{refend}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{Commons-inline}}
* {{Commons-inline}}
* {{official website}}
* [https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/01777430 Burnley & Pendle Travel Limited] and [https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/02605399 Transdev Blazefield] on [[Companies House]]
⚫
{{Bus companies in North West England}}{{Transdev Blazefield}}{{Borough of Pendle culture}}
* [https://www.transdevbus.co.uk/burnley/services The Burnley Bus Company] website
⚫
{{Bus companies in North West England}}
⚫
{{Transdev}}
{{Borough of Pendle culture}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Burnley and Pendle}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Burnley and Pendle}}

Latest revision as of 20:05, 3 December 2024

The Burnley Bus Company
ParentTransdev Blazefield
FoundedAugust 1924; 100 years ago (1924-08)
HeadquartersHarrogate, North Yorkshire, England
Service area
Service typeBus
StationsBurnley Bus Station
Depots1
Fleet87 (April 2024)
WebsiteOfficial website Edit this at Wikidata

The Burnley Bus Company operates both local and regional bus services in Greater Manchester and Lancashire, England. It is a subsidiary of Transdev Blazefield, which operates bus services across Greater Manchester, Lancashire, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire.

History

[edit]
East Lancashire Coachbuilders bodied Bristol VR in Barnoldswick in April 1984

In August 1924, Burnley Corporation Transport operated their first bus service between Rawtenstall and Burnley Summit.[1] The Burnley, Colne & Nelson Joint Transport Committee was established in April 1933, merging the three municipal tramway and bus operations of the respective towns.[2][3] The tramway network was progressively abandoned, with the last line closing in May 1935.

Following local government reorganisation in April 1974, the boroughs of Colne and Nelson were amalgamated to form the present-day Borough of Pendle. Subsequently, the transport operation became known as the Burnley & Pendle Joint Transport Committee.

In 1986, as part of the deregulation of bus services and to comply with the Transport Act 1985, the company's assets were transferred to a new legal entity named the Burnley & Pendle Transport Company. Deregulation opened Burnley & Pendle's routes to competition from other operators, with Blackburn Transport, Tyrer Tours and Victoria Coaches establishing competing services. To stave off the competition, five AEC Routemaster double-deck vehicles were purchased, with each named after a character from the television series EastEnders.[4] Burnley & Pendle also successfully tendered a number of Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive-contracted bus services, allowing for operations to extend to Blackburn, Bury, Manchester, Preston, Rawtenstall, Rochdale and Skipton.

Stagecoach and Blazefield ownership

[edit]

In April 1996, Pendle Borough Council sold their share of the company to Stagecoach Holdings. Burnley Council was unhappy with the decision, and stated that they would never consider selling their share.[5] In response, Stagecoach proposed up a multi-million pound investment plan for the area, but Burnley Council could not meet their share unless it cut other council-supported services. Burnley Council eventually reversed their decision in March 1997 and sold out to Stagecoach, a deal valued at £2.85 million (equivalent to £6,552,000 in 2023).[6] Initially branded Stagecoach Burnley & Pendle, the company was encompassed within Stagecoach Ribble in May 2000.

In April 2001, Stagecoach sold their operations in Blackburn, Bolton and Clitheroe to the Blazefield Group, which rebranded them as Burnley & Pendle and Lancashire United. The sale was valued at £13 million.[7][8] Following the sale, Blazefield purchased a total of 15 Plaxton President bodied Volvo B7TL double-deck and 25 Wright Renown bodied Volvo B10BLE single-deck vehicles for Burnley & Pendle as part of a fleet renewal programme; prior to the sale of Burnley & Pendle, many of the newer vehicles Stagecoach purchased for the fleet were transferred to other subsidiaries, with Burnley & Pendle receiving older vehicles as replacements.[9]

Transdev era

[edit]

In January 2006, French-based transport group Transdev acquired the Blazefield Group, along with 305 vehicles.[10][11] Locally, the company was rebranded under the name Transdev in Burnley & Pendle.

In August 2006, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council announced that after 125 years of municipal ownership, Blackburn Transport had been sold to Transdev Blazefield. The sale was finalised in January 2007.[12][13] This was followed in August 2007 by both Accrington Transport and Northern Blue being acquired, with both operators' staff and combined 65 vehicles transferring to Transdev.[14][15] After initially being maintained as a separate brand, in September 2009, Transdev Northern Blue was integrated into the Transdev Burnley & Pendle business.

In July 2017, the company was again rebranded, now operating as The Burnley Bus Company.[16][17][18]

Services and branding

[edit]
Branding: past and present

The Burnley Bus Company

[edit]

In July 2017, a rebrand of the company commenced. Starting with the introduction of a new fleet of Optare Versa single-deck vehicles for Mainline,[16][17][18] one of the vehicles was branded in the new two-tone orange livery. This was followed shortly after by a refurbished fleet of Wright Renown bodied Volvo B10BLE single-deck vehicles being repainted into the new livery.

Local bus services operating in and around the town of Burnley are encompassed within The Burnley Bus Company brand, with buses serving Stoops (1), Higherford, Nelson & Colne (2), Nelson (2A), Pike Hill (3), Worsthorne (4), Harle Syke and Rosegrove (5) and Accrington (9).

Mainline

[edit]

The Mainline brand encompasses six services, which operate between Accrington (M1), Clitheroe (M2) and Burnley via Padiham, as well as between Burnley and Trawden (M3), Keighley (M4), Barnoldswick (M5) and Skipton (M6) via Nelson and Colne. In July 2017, the services were rebranded and upgraded to a fleet of Optare Versa single-deck vehicles, branded in a two-tone orange and burgundy livery.[16][17][18] Features include free WiFi, USB and wireless charging and audio-visual next stop announcements.

The Witch Way

[edit]
For more information about this service, see The Witch Way.

The Witch Way is a flagship service, which operates between Burnley and Manchester via Rawtenstall and M66. The service is operated by a fleet of high-specification Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 MMC double-deck vehicles, which were introduced into service in December 2020,[19][20] replacing the former allocation of Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B9TL double-deck vehicles introduced in October 2013.[21][22] Vehicles are branded in a two-tone orange and black livery, with features including free WiFi, USB and wireless charging, tables and audio-visual next stop announcements voiced by Coronation Street actress Jennie McAlpine.[23]

Former Services and Brands

[edit]

CityZap

[edit]

In November 2017, a limited-stop express service running directly between Leeds and Manchester via the M62 was introduced, branded as CityZap. Similar to the other CityZap service between York and Leeds operated by sister company Yorkshire Coastliner, the service aimed to attract motorists and provide a competitive alternative to the railway.[24][25]

The service was notable for its use of sat-nav equipment to choose the quickest route and avoid congestions.[26]

The service operated with a fleet of four Wright Eclipse Urban 2 bodied Volvo B7RLE vehicles, branded for the route in a silver/red livery, and featured free WiFi and USB charging capabilities.

The service was withdrawn in July 2018, owing to low passenger numbers.[27][28]

Fleet and operations

[edit]

Depots

[edit]

As of April 2022, the company operates from a single depot in Burnley, which it shares with Rosso.

Vehicles

[edit]

As of March 2024, the fleet consists of 79 buses. The fleet consists of diesel-powered single and double-deck buses manufactured by Wrightbus, Plaxton, Alexander Dennis and Optare, as well as minibuses manufactured by Mellor.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "10 years' all-bus operation at Rawtenstall". The Commercial Motor. 30 January 1942. p. 24. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  2. ^ "Municipal purchases and proposals". The Commercial Motor. 7 April 1933. p. 45. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  3. ^ "Transport unification brings good results". The Commercial Motor. 11 February 1938. p. 86. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  4. ^ "More Bromley than Burnley". Buses. No. 806. Stamford: Key Publishing. 15 April 2022. p. 60. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  5. ^ "Deal is struck with Stagecoach". Lancashire Telegraph. Blackburn. 29 August 1996. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  6. ^ "Workers' dismay as Stagecoach axes jobs". Lancashire Telegraph. Blackburn. 9 April 1997. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  7. ^ "No change as depots sold". Lancashire Telegraph. Blackburn. 4 May 2001. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  8. ^ "Stagecoach sells some North-West operations for £13 million" (Press release). Stagecoach Group. 26 April 2001. Archived from the original on 18 March 2005. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  9. ^ Barrow, David (2 August 2001). "Trail-blazing in the North West". Coach & Bus Week. No. 485. Peterborough: Emap. pp. 26–27. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  10. ^ "Transdev acquires Blazefield Group". Bus & Coach Professional. 7 January 2006. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  11. ^ Briggs, Ian (9 January 2006). "A new stop for Blazefield". The Yorkshire Post. Leeds. Archived from the original on 15 April 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  12. ^ "Chester for sale and Blackburn for Blazefield". Bus & Coach Professional. 21 August 2006. Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  13. ^ Bartlett, David (16 August 2006). "Burnley buys up Blackburn buses". Lancashire Telegraph. Blackburn. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  14. ^ Watkinson, David (6 August 2007). "Bus firms in takeover". Lancashire Telegraph. Blackburn. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  15. ^ "Blazefield buys again in Lancashire". Bus & Coach Professional. 9 August 2007. Archived from the original on 13 August 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  16. ^ a b c Quaynor, Aban (23 July 2017). "New modern buses are just the ticket for customers". Lancashire Telegraph. Blackburn. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  17. ^ a b c "£4.5m Versas revitalise Burnley Mainline". Buses. No. 750. Stamford: Key Publishing. 17 August 2017. p. 7. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  18. ^ a b c Harrison, Matt (2 August 2017). "Mainline bursts into Burnley with a Big Bus Bash". Transport Designed. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  19. ^ "Transdev Witchway route gets 'Sky Class' Enviro400 fleet". routeone. 9 December 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  20. ^ Kelly, Robert (2 February 2021). "Transdev's £3.8 million investment on Sky Class buses 'will boost coronavirus recovery'". Lancashire Telegraph. Blackburn. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  21. ^ "New buses in £3m. Witch Way investment". Burnley Express. 3 November 2013. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  22. ^ "East Lancs brand's 10th anniversary". routeone. 27 October 2015. Archived from the original on 25 April 2022. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  23. ^ Harrigan, Joel (11 December 2020). "Corrie star Jennie McAlpine lends 'warm Northern voice' to new Witchway buses". Lancashire Telegraph. Blackburn. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  24. ^ "Transdev goes for second Zap and ups route 36". Buses. No. 752. 19 November 2017. p. 13.
  25. ^ Dougall, Emily (14 November 2017). "Transdev launches new Leeds-Manchester Cityzap express". Coach & Bus Week. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  26. ^ Nelson, Sara (8 February 2018). "Competition across the Pennines: can coach keep up?". Transport Focus. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  27. ^ Deakin, Tim (6 August 2018). "Cityzap ends Leeds to Manchester service". Routeone. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  28. ^ "Transdev adds Jets and reduces Zap". Buses. No. 760. 21 June 2018. p. 18.
  • Catlow, A (November 1985). Burnley, Colne and Nelson. Curwen Institute. ISBN 978-0907941194.
[edit]
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