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Noted that the 153 - Little hotline has now transferred to preston bus
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In 2016, service 152, which operates between Burnley and [[Preston, Lancashire|Preston]] via Blackburn was rebranded as Hotline. Initially using [[Volvo B7TL]]/[[Wright Eclipse Gemini|Wright Gemini]] double-deck vehicles, the service was upgraded in February 2020. It is now operated by a fleet of [[Volvo B9TL]]/[[Wright Gemini 2]] double-deck vehicles, branded in a two-tone purple livery.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Peter |date=2021-02-16 |title=Hotline upgrade |url=https://cbwmagazine.com/hotline-upgrade/ |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=Coach & Bus Week |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=14 February 2021 |title=Welcome to your new-look Hotline – Preston {{!}} Blackburn {{!}} Padiham {{!}} Burnley |url=https://www.transdevbus.co.uk/burnley/weve-got-hot-date-hotline-buses-getting-new-look-sunday |access-date=25 April 2022 |website=[[Transdev]]}}</ref> Features include free WiFi, USB charging and audio-visual next stop announcements.
In 2016, service 152, which operates between Burnley and [[Preston, Lancashire|Preston]] via Blackburn was rebranded as Hotline. Initially using [[Volvo B7TL]]/[[Wright Eclipse Gemini|Wright Gemini]] double-deck vehicles, the service was upgraded in February 2020. It is now operated by a fleet of [[Volvo B9TL]]/[[Wright Gemini 2]] double-deck vehicles, branded in a two-tone purple livery.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Peter |date=2021-02-16 |title=Hotline upgrade |url=https://cbwmagazine.com/hotline-upgrade/ |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=Coach & Bus Week |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=14 February 2021 |title=Welcome to your new-look Hotline – Preston {{!}} Blackburn {{!}} Padiham {{!}} Burnley |url=https://www.transdevbus.co.uk/burnley/weve-got-hot-date-hotline-buses-getting-new-look-sunday |access-date=25 April 2022 |website=[[Transdev]]}}</ref> Features include free WiFi, USB charging and audio-visual next stop announcements.


In partnership with Lancashire County Council, the Little Hotline brand was introduced in May 2021. Together with Hotline, service 153 provides a combined frequency of up to every 15 minutes between [[Higher Walton, Lancashire|Higher Walton]] and Preston.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 April 2021 |title=Give a big warm welcome to your brand new buses – say hello to Little Hotline |url=https://www.transdevbus.co.uk/hotline/give-big-warm-welcome-your-brand-new-buses-say-hello-little-hotline |access-date=25 April 2022 |website=[[Transdev]]}}</ref> The service is operated by a fleet of [[Mellor Strata]] minibuses, branded in a two-tone purple livery. Features include free WiFi, USB charging and audio-visual next stop announcements.
In partnership with Lancashire County Council, the Little Hotline brand was introduced in May 2021. Together with Hotline, service 153 provided a combined frequency of up to every 15 minutes between [[Higher Walton, Lancashire|Higher Walton]] and Preston.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 April 2021 |title=Give a big warm welcome to your brand new buses – say hello to Little Hotline |url=https://www.transdevbus.co.uk/hotline/give-big-warm-welcome-your-brand-new-buses-say-hello-little-hotline |access-date=25 April 2022 |website=[[Transdev]]}}</ref> The service was operated by a fleet of [[Mellor Strata]] minibuses, branded in a two-tone purple livery and included free WiFi, USB charging and audio-visual next stop announcements.

In April 2023, the contract for the 153 was taken away from Transdev and given to [[Preston Bus]] alongside the contract for Burnley’s ‘Ribble County’ services which were given to Preston Bus and Vision Bus.


===Red Express X41===
===Red Express X41===

Revision as of 18:21, 29 April 2023

The Blackburn Bus Company
ParentTransdev
FoundedApril 2001; 23 years ago (2001-04)
HeadquartersHarrogate, North Yorkshire
England
Service area
Service typeBus / Public Transport
Depots1
Fleet60 (at April 2023)
Managing DirectorAlex Hornby
Websitewww.transdevbus.co.uk/blackburn/services

The Blackburn 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

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.[1] 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.

Following the sale, investment commenced with a fleet of 30 Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown single-deck vehicles introduced into service in September 2001. A number of service revisions followed and many marginal services were withdrawn, with a strategy of developing a network of high-quality trunk routes. Most of the company's contracted services with Lancashire County Council were terminated, with operations transferred to Northern Blue.

In August 2002, the company's depot in Bolton was sold to Blue Bus and Coach Services.[2] The contracted services in Clitheroe were ceased, with the land sold to a housing developer. Operation of the majority of the contracted services in the area was transferred to Northern Blue.

In January 2006, French-based operator Transdev acquired the Blazefield Group, along with 305 vehicles.[3][4] Unlike other subsidiaries within the group, Lancashire United retained the pre-acquisition name.

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.[5][6]

In August 2007, Accrington Transport and Northern Blue were acquired, along with the transfer of staff and 65 vehicles.[7][8] This resulted in services in Clitheroe being reacquired by Lancashire United for a second time. However, these services were subsequently withdrawn in June 2008. In September 2009, Transdev Northern Blue was integrated into the Transdev Burnley & Pendle business.

In July 2016, the company was again rebranded, now operating as The Blackburn Bus Company.[9]

In April 2019, the company commemorated the centenary of Ribble Motor Services with a dedicated livery.[10][11]

In June 2020, an Optare Versa was branded in a unique livery, recognising the dedication of Lancashire's key workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.[12]

Services and brands

Branding: past and present

The Blackburn Bus Company

A rebrand of the company commenced in July 2016, beginning with the introduction of a fleet of Optare Versa single-deck vehicles, branded in the two-tone blue The Blackburn Bus Company livery.[9][13] The brand encompasses a number of local services in the area, as well as being used as a base for other route brands, including The 1 and 6 & 7.

The 1

Following a £2.5 million investment in the service, The 1 was rebranded in January 2020.[14][15][16] The service, which operates between Blackburn and Darwen up to every ten minutes, with up to three buses per hour extending to Bolton, is served by a fleet of Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 MMC single-deck vehicles. Features include free WiFi, USB and wireless charging and audio-visual next stop announcements.

6 & 7

Following the arrival of a batch of Optare Versa single-deck vehicles in July 2016, the former Hyndburn Connect branding was replaced by a new two-tone blue 6 & 7 livery. The vehicles were introduced to routes 6 and 7, which run between Accrington and Blackburn, in August 2016.[9][13] Features include WiFi, USB charging and audio-visual next stop announcements.

Hotline & Little Hotline

In 2016, service 152, which operates between Burnley and Preston via Blackburn was rebranded as Hotline. Initially using Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini double-deck vehicles, the service was upgraded in February 2020. It is now operated by a fleet of Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini 2 double-deck vehicles, branded in a two-tone purple livery.[17][18] Features include free WiFi, USB charging and audio-visual next stop announcements.

In partnership with Lancashire County Council, the Little Hotline brand was introduced in May 2021. Together with Hotline, service 153 provided a combined frequency of up to every 15 minutes between Higher Walton and Preston.[19] The service was operated by a fleet of Mellor Strata minibuses, branded in a two-tone purple livery and included free WiFi, USB charging and audio-visual next stop announcements.

In April 2023, the contract for the 153 was taken away from Transdev and given to Preston Bus alongside the contract for Burnley’s ‘Ribble County’ services which were given to Preston Bus and Vision Bus.

Red Express X41

The Red Express brand is used on service X41, which operates hourly between Accrington and Manchester via Haslingden. In January 2020, the service was announced to be axed, but was later reprieved.[20][21] As part of this, the former double-deck Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini vehicles allocated were replaced with single-deck Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse Urban vehicles, branded in a two-tone yellow and red livery. Features include free WiFi, USB charging and audio-visual next stop announcements.

Valley Line

The Valley Line brand is used on service 22, which links Blackburn and Clitheroe via Whalley. The service is operated by a fleet of Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown single-deck vehicles, branded in a two-tone blue and yellow livery. Features include free WiFi and USB charging.

Fleet

Depots

As of April 2022, the company operates from a single depot in Blackburn (Intack), which was formerly operated by Blackburn Transport. The former Stagecoach Ribble depot in Blackburn (Manner Sutton Street) was closed in August 2011, with operations subsequently merged with Intack.[22]

Vehicles

As of April 2023, the fleet consists of 60 buses. The fleet consists of diesel-powered single and double-deck buses manufactured by Alexander Dennis, Optare and Wrightbus.

References

  1. ^ "Stagecoach sells some North-West operations for £13 million". Stagecoach. 26 April 2001. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  2. ^ "Blue Bus set to take over United routes". The Bolton News. 26 June 2002. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  3. ^ "Transdev acquires Blazefield Group". Bus & Coach Professional. 7 January 2006. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  4. ^ Briggs, Ian (9 January 2006). "A new stop for Blazefield". Yorkshire Post. Archived from the original on 15 April 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ Bartlett, David (16 August 2006). "Burnley buys up Blackburn buses". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  7. ^ Watkinson, David (6 August 2007). "Bus firms in takeover". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  8. ^ "Blazefield buys again in Lancashire". Bus & Coach Professional. 9 August 2007. Archived from the original on 13 August 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  9. ^ a b c "Versa fleet launches with Blackburn operator rebrand". Bus & Coach Week. No. 1252. 9 August 2016. p. 10.
  10. ^ Harrison, Matt (10 April 2019). "Transdev unveils centenary bus to commemorate Ribble 100". Transport Designed. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
  11. ^ Dunn, Madaline (16 April 2019). "The Ribble bus company celebrates 100 years of service". Coach & Bus Week. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
  12. ^ "Straight from the heart – our tribute to Blackburn and Lancashire's unsung heroes". Transdev. 22 June 2020. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
  13. ^ a b "A revolution is coming to Accrington and Blackburn". Transdev. 27 July 2016. Archived from the original on 13 August 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  14. ^ "£2.5 million new buses packed with amazing new features launched in Blackburn". Transdev. 21 January 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  15. ^ Kelly, Robert (17 January 2020). "£2.5m buses unveiled with charging points and mobile phone holders". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  16. ^ Dougall, Emily (21 January 2020). "The Blackburn Bus Company launches £2.5m fleet". Coach & Bus Week. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  17. ^ Jackson, Peter (16 February 2021). "Hotline upgrade". Coach & Bus Week. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  18. ^ "Welcome to your new-look Hotline – Preston | Blackburn | Padiham | Burnley". Transdev. 14 February 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  19. ^ "Give a big warm welcome to your brand new buses – say hello to Little Hotline". Transdev. 8 April 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  20. ^ Roden, Rosalyn (4 December 2019). "Accrington to Manchester X41 bus is AXED". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
  21. ^ Jacobs, Bill (22 January 2020). "X41 Red Express bus from Accrington to Manchester SAVED". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  22. ^ Pye, Catherine (11 August 2011). "Council buys Blackburn bus depot". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
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