LOCAL BUS SERVICE ENHANCEMENTS IN LANCASHIRE
7th of July, 2020
LOCAL BUS SERVICE ENHANCEMENTS IN LANCASHIRE
Whilst it has been advised against travelling on public transport unless necessary during the current COVID-19 pandemic, the county council's supported bus services and commercial bus operators are continuing to operate services for key workers, and those with no alternative, to access employment and make essential travel. Enhanced cleaning regimes and social distancing practices have been put in place on buses across the county, with Central Government currently providing emergency financial support for both the commercial and county council's tendered bus service networks.
Beyond the phased release of lockdown measures, bus services will still need to play a vital part in keeping people connected and being able to access local amenities, employment, health and education in the future. Utilising newer more environmentally friendly buses, better customer facilities on board, such as contactless payments and Wi-Fi are all either in place already or will appear in the near future.
With the easing of lockdown measures, bus service levels are gradually being restored, but with social distancing measures in place, with the continued financial support of Central Government and maintenance of existing local authority funding from the county council.
The Government has issued safer travel guidance for passengers which is available to read - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-travel-guidance-for-passengers
Whilst we work towards updating bus stop information, it is still recommended to check bus operator's websites for the latest position with their bus services. A reminder of the county's main bus operator websites are shown below:
Arriva North West - https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/north-west/
Blackpool Transport - https://www.blackpooltransport.com/
Pilkington Bus - http://pilkingtonbus.com/
Rotala Preston Bus - http://www.prestonbus.co.uk/
Stagecoach – https://www.stagecoachbus.com/
Transdev - https://www.transdevbus.co.uk/
(The Blackburn Bus Company, The Burnley Bus Company & Rosso)
As service levels are being restored, the good news is that Lancashire County Council has been successful in securing additional funding for its supported bus services from the Department for Transport's 'A better deal for bus users' announcement in February. This funding was made available to improve current supported bus services and/or restore lost services where needed. The press release on this announcement can be read - https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/news/details/?Id=PR20/0177
County Councillor Keith Iddon, the county council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, has approved the use of this funding as detailed below for each area. This funding will tie in with the county council's budget commitment in February to invest additional money into bus services over the coming years, as well as funding being secured from housing developments through the planning process, and will be aimed at continuing to deliver a tendered bus service network that complements and supports the commercial bus service network.
Taking into consideration a number of outstanding requests for bus services, received from residents, local councillors and MPs across the county as well as building on the enhanced service provision since the council's investment in bus services in December 2017, we submitted to the Department for Transport (DfT) a number of proposals for consideration for the available funding.
Extended routes and the introduction of Sunday daytime services on some key routes will form part of these service enhancements.
In addition to the funding from both the DfT and the council county, extra funding has been secured through the planning process from some housing developments to be utilised to enhance bus services throughout the area.
Tendered Bus Service Network Revisions
We have continued with our identified priorities of sustainably linking communities, particularly in rural areas where many people rely on public transport services, and to increase the frequency of a number of services where there is most demand, developing more sustainable and attractive services for the future.
It is recognised sustainably funding every conceivable public transport need is not possible, therefore providing better services in accordance with the identified priorities is a key element of funding commitments going forward.
Our funding submission to the DfT was based on improving and extending current supported bus services, restoring lost services and supporting new bus services. With utilisation of the funding available, we will introduce a number of revisions to the bus network restoring links and improving frequency of services across local communities.
From 19th July 2020 Lancashire County Council will introduce the following bus service revisions in each area:
Lancaster
Service 7 Lancaster - Vale
Service 10 Lancaster – Ridge
Service 11 Lancaster - Marsh
Service 18 Lancaster – East Circular
The county council will restore the Sunday and Bank Holiday services on these Lancaster City service routes.
Complementing the Monday to Saturday daytime services, these new Sunday and Bank Holiday city centre daytime services will each operate hourly.
Stagecoach in Cumbria and North Lancashire will operate this service on behalf of Lancashire County Council.
Service 81A/81B Lancaster – Hornby – Kirkby Lonsdale
(Kirkby Lonsdale Coach Hire Leaflet)
The county council will restore the Sunday and Bank Holiday service throughout the whole Lune Valley route.
The services will operate between Lancaster and Kirkby Lonsdale via Halton, Caton, Brookhouse and Hornby then alternating via either Gressingham, Arkholme & Whittington (as Service 81A), or Wray, Wennington, Melling, Tunstall & Neither Burrow (as Service 81B).
Complementing the Monday to Saturday daytime services, the new Sunday and Bank Holiday service will operate every hour between Lancaster and Hornby and two hourly on either side of the River Lune.
Kirkby Lonsdale Coach Hire will operate these services on behalf of Lancashire County Council.
Preston North
Service 43 Preston – Cottam – Fulwood Royal Preston Hospital
(Rotala Preston Bus Leaflet)
In partnership with the county council and Preston City Council, Rotala Preston Bus will introduce this new direct service linking the City Centre with Fulwood Royal Preston Hospital via the Railway Station, Tom Benson Way, Cottam and Fulwood Lightfoot Lane.
The service will operate every 30 minutes during Monday to Saturday daytime. In conjunction with Service 44 the frequency between the City Centre and Cottam will increase from every 30 minutes to generally every 15 minutes during Monday to Saturday daytime.
A new hourly Monday to Saturday evening and Sunday daytime service will also operate between the City Centre, Cottam and Fulwood Wychnor.
Service 44 Preston – Ashton – Ingol – Cottam
(Rotala Preston Bus Leaflet)
Rotala Preston Bus will revise the route and timetable, adjusting the service and amending the circular section around Cottam to operate in an anti-clockwise direction to better coordinate with new Service 43.
The service will continue to operate generally every 30 minutes during Monday to Saturday daytime. In conjunction with Service 43 the frequency between Preston City Centre and Cottam will increase from every 30 minutes to generally every 15 minutes during Monday to Saturday daytime.
In partnership with the county council, a new hourly Sunday daytime service will also operate between the City Centre and Ingol.
Service 45 Preston – Broughton – Whittingham – Longridge – Blackburn
(Leaflet 13)
The county council will revise the timetable, adjusting times to operate in conjunction with new Service 46, enhancing the service frequency between Preston and Longridge via Broughton and Whittingham and introduce a Sunday service.
The service will continue to operate generally every hour during Monday to Saturday daytime, together with the introduction of a new two-hourly Sunday daytime service. In conjunction with Service 46 the frequency between Preston City Centre and Longridge via Broughton, Goosnargh and Whittingham will increase to generally every 30 minutes during Monday to Saturday daytime.
Rotala Preston Bus will operate this service on behalf of Lancashire County Council.
Service 46 Preston – Woodplumpton – Broughton – Whittingham – Longridge
(Leaflet 13)
The county council will introduce this new service, maintaining a service for Cadley, Woodplumpton and Broughton, partially replacing the amended Services 15 & 77A. The service is extended from Broughton through to Longridge via Goosnargh and Whittingham, increasing the service provision in conjunction with Service 45.
In Longridge town centre, the service will loop Calder Avenue and Higher Road serving additional areas within the town including Beacon Fell Caravan Park. This follows a number of requests from local residents for the restoration of a bus service link.
The service will operate generally every hour during Monday to Saturday daytime. In conjunction with Service 45 the frequency between Preston City Centre and Longridge via Broughton, Goosnargh and Whittingham will increase to generally every 30 minutes during Monday to Saturday daytime.
Rotala Preston Bus will operate this service on behalf of Lancashire County Council.
Service 49 Preston – Longsands – Fulwood Royal Preston Hospital (was 15)
(Leaflet 13)
Previously numbered Service 15, the county council will curtail the service to terminate at Royal Preston Hospital and renumber it Service 49. Service 15 suffered severe unreliability and was extended through to Broughton as a temporary measure whilst these service revisions could be introduced. The new Service 49 timetable will be revised to improve overall service reliability and will continue to operate generally every hour during Monday to Saturday daytime.
Rotala Preston Bus will operate this service on behalf of Lancashire County Council.
The section of route along Fulwood Lightfoot Lane, Woodplumpton and Broughton will now be served by new Services 43 & 46.
Service 77 Preston – Lea – Great Eccleston – Poulton – Blackpool
Service 77A Preston – Lea – Great Eccleston – Myerscough
The county council will withdraw these services and be replaced by new Service 46 & new Service 74, as part of the revisions to the wider Fylde Coast rural supported bus network with enhancements to the frequency between Preston City Centre and Ashton Lea Road, increasing from two hourly to hourly during Monday to Saturday daytime.
Please refer to the Preston West, Fylde and Wyre section for full details of revisions to these services.
Preston West, Fylde and Wyre
Service 74 Preston – Lea – Great Eccleston – Poulton – Fleetwood
(Blackpool Transport Leaflet)
The county council will introduce this new service across northwest Preston and the Fylde, partially replacing Services 77 & 77A.
This new service will operate between Preston and Fleetwood via Riversway, Lea, Catforth, Inskip, Elswick, Great Eccleston, Poulton, Thornton and Broadwater.
The service will operate every hour during Monday to Saturday daytime. In conjunction with Service 75, the frequency between Preston, Poulton and Fleetwood, over common sections, will increase to generally every 30 minutes during Monday to Saturday daytime.
A new two hourly Sunday and Bank Holiday daytime service will also be introduced.
For through journeys to Blackpool and Victoria Hospital, seamless connections are available at Poulton with Blackpool Transport services or revised Service 76.
Blackpool Transport Services Ltd will operate this service on behalf of Lancashire County Council.
Service 75 Preston – Lea – Kirkham – Poulton – Cleveleys – Fleetwood
(Blackpool Transport Leaflet)
The county council will revise this service, adjusting the route between Weeton and Poulton to operate via Staining, restoring links and improving connectivity of services across northwest Preston and the Fylde.
This revised service will operate between Preston and Fleetwood via Riversway, Lea, Newton, Kirkham, Weeton, Staining, Poulton, Thornton and Cleveleys.
The service will operate every hour during Monday to Saturday daytime. In conjunction with Service 74, the frequency between Preston, Poulton and Fleetwood, over common sections, will increase to generally every 30 minutes during Monday to Saturday daytime.
A new two hourly Sunday and Bank Holiday daytime service will also be introduced.
The section of route between Weeton and Poulton via Weeton Camp and Singleton will now be served by the revised Service 76.
Blackpool Transport Services Ltd will operate this service on behalf of Lancashire County Council.
Service 76 St.Annes – Lytham – Kirkham – Poulton – Blackpool
(Leaflet 11)
The county council will revise and extend this service, adjusting the route between Kirkham and Poulton to operate via Weeton and Singleton, replacing the revised Service 75 over this section, as well as extending the route through to St.Annes from Lytham, serving Clifton Drive Hospital.
This revised service will operate between St.Annes and Blackpool via Lytham, Warton, Wrea Green, Kirkham, Weeton, Singleton, Poulton and Victoria Hospital.
The service will operate every hour during Monday to Saturday daytime. In conjunction with Service 78, the frequency between Preston, Poulton and Fleetwood, over common sections, will increase to generally every 30 minutes during Monday to Saturday daytime.
In conjunction with Service 78, the frequency between St.Annes, Lytham and Kirkham, over common sections, will increase to two journeys per hour during Monday to Saturday daytime.
Coastal Coaches will operate this service on behalf of Lancashire County Council.
Service 77 Preston – Lea – Great Eccleston – Poulton – Blackpool
Service 77A Preston – Lea – Great Eccleston – Myerscough
The county council will withdraw these services and will be replaced as follows:
the section of route between Preston and Poulton will be served by new Service 74:
the section of route between Poulton and Blackpool will be served by the extension of Service 76.
The four return journeys per day to Myerscough College will be withdrawn, passenger numbers prior to March 2020 showed on average two passenger trips per day across all eight journeys, which were normally students attending Myerscough College. These students will continue to be able to access their dedicated college bus services from across the area, as well as the frequent daytime shuttle service available between the college and connecting bus services on the A6.
The withdrawal of the Myerscough section enables the resource to be redeployed to allow for the extension of Service 76 from Lytham through to St.Annes via Clifton Drive Hospital.
Service 78 St.Annes – Lytham – Kirkham – Wesham – Great Eccleston
(Leaflet 11)
In partnership with the county council, Coastal Coaches will extend their route from Wesham to Great Eccleston, partially replacing the revised Service 76.
This will maintain the service between Great Eccleston and Elswick with Kirkham and Lytham as well as restoring the link through to St.Annes.
This revised service will operate between St.Annes and Great Eccleston via Lytham, Warton, Freckleton, Kirkham, Wesham and Elswick.
The service will operate every hour during Monday to Saturday daytime. In conjunction with Service 76, the frequency between St.Annes, Lytham and Kirkham, over common sections, will increase to two journeys per hour during Monday to Saturday daytime.
Preston, South Ribble, Chorley & West Lancashire
Service 2A Preston – Tarleton – Burscough – Ormskirk
In partnership with the county council, Stagecoach in Merseyside & South Lancashire will revise the timetable, introducing a Sunday and Bank Holiday service throughout the whole route.
This service will continue to operate between Preston and Ormskirk via Penwortham, Longton, Much Hoole, Walmer Bridge, Tarleton, Rufford and Burscough.
Complementing the hourly Monday to Saturday daytime service, the new Sunday and Bank Holiday service will also operate every hour. In conjunction with Service 2, operating between Preston and Southport, the Sunday and Bank Holiday daytime service frequency between Preston and Tarleton will be every 30 minutes.
Service 112 Preston – Bamber Bridge – Clayton Brook – Leyland – Croston
(Leaflet 12)
The county council will revise the route and timetable, extending the service from Midge Hall to Bretherton and Croston partially replacing the revised Service 113. There will be a minor route adjustment in Leyland, no longer serving Bent Lane, however this will be served by the extended Service 119.
This revised service will operate between Preston and Croston via Frenchwood, Walton-le-Dale, Bamber Bridge, Clayton Brook, Clayton Green, Runshaw College, Leyland and Midge Hall then a one way loop around Bretherton, Croston and Wymott.
The service will continue to operate every hour during Monday to Saturday daytime.
Holmeswood Coaches will operate this service on behalf of Lancashire County Council.
Service 113 Preston – Bamber Bridge – Leyland – Eccleston – Wigan
(Leaflet 12)
The county council will revise the route and timetable, amending the service to no longer serve Croston, which will significantly improve journey times for those passengers travelling over the longer distances. With the long term road closure of Moor Road in Croston, the village will continue to be served by the extension of Service 112 maintaining the link through to Leyland and Preston, together with Services 337 & 347 through to Chorley via Eccleston, where onward connections to Wigan can continue to be made. This revised service will continue to operate between Preston and Wigan via Gregson Lane, Bamber Bridge, Lostock Hall, Leyland, Eccleston, Wrightington Bar and Standish.
The service will continue to operate every hour during Monday to Saturday daytime.
Stagecoach in Merseyside & South Lancashire will operate this service on behalf of Lancashire County Council.
Service 114 Chorley – Whittle-le-Woods – Clayton Brook – Leyland
(Leaflet 12)
The county council will revise the route and timetable, curtailing the service to terminate in Leyland. The section of route between Preston and Leyland will now form part of the extended Service 119, which will significantly improve journey times for those passengers travelling over the longer distances.
This revised service will operate between Chorley Eaves Lane/ Town Centre and Leyland via Chorley Hospital, Whittle-le-Woods, Clayton Brook, Clayton Green and Clayton-le-Woods.
The service will continue to operate every hour during Monday to Saturday daytime.
Holmeswood Coaches will operate this service on behalf of Lancashire County Council.
Service 117 Chorley – Weld Bank Circular
(Leaflet 19)
The county council, in partnership with Chorley Borough Council, will introduce this new direct service for the Weld Bank Carr Lane area currently served by Service 118.
This new service will operate a circular route from Chorley around Weld Bank Carr Lane via Pilling Lane.
The service will operate every hour during Monday to Saturday daytime.
R S Tyrer Ltd will operate this service on behalf of Lancashire County Council.
Service 118 Chorley – Lower Burgh
(Leaflet 19)
The county council, in partnership with Chorley Borough Council, will revise the route and timetable, revising and extending the service through to Lower Burgh. This will replace the revised Service 337 route and increases the frequency of services to the area.
This revised service will operate between Chorley and Lower Burgh via Collingwood Road and Eaves Green Road.
The service will operate every hour during Monday to Saturday daytime.
There will be no changes to the evening and Sunday journeys, which will continue to operate between Chorley and Collingwood Road only.
R S Tyrer Ltd will operate this service on behalf of Lancashire County Council.
Service 119 Chorley – Astley Village – Leyland – Penwortham – Preston
(Leaflet 19)
The county council will revise the route and timetable, revising and extending the service through to Leyland and replace Service 114 between Leyland and Preston.
Creating and restoring a number of links, this extended service will operate between Chorley and Preston via Astley Village, Chorley Hospital, Buckshaw Village, Leyland, Farington Moss, Penwortham and Broadgate.
The service will operate every hour during Monday to Saturday daytime.
There will be no changes to the evening and Sunday journeys, which will continue to operate between Chorley and Astley Village only.
R S Tyrer Ltd will operate this service on behalf of Lancashire County Council.
Service 300 Southport – Halsall – Haskayne – Liverpool
The county council, in partnership with Arriva, will support the Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday timetable. There are no changes to the wider route or timetable.
Service 337 Chorley – Eccleston – Croston – Burscough – Ormskirk
Service 347 Chorley – Eccleston – Croston – Rufford – Southport
(Leaflet 14)
The county council will revise the route and timetable of Service 337, adjusting all journeys between Chorley and Charnock Richard to operate via Southport Road and Gillibrands Park, improving the frequency of service through this area in conjunction with Service 347. Lower Burgh will be served by the revised Service 118.
Whilst there are generally no other changes to the wider route or timetable, there will be a temporary route adjustment in Croston due to the long term major roadworks and closure of Moor Road through until approximately October.
Holmeswood Coaches will operate this service on behalf of Lancashire County Council.
Preston East, Ribble Valley, Hyndburn & Pendle
Service 2 Clitheroe – Low Moor
(Leaflet 1)
The county council will revise the timetable, adjusting the morning and afternoon peak time journeys. There are no changes to the route.
Holmeswood Coaches will operate this service on behalf of Lancashire County Council.
Service 3 Clitheroe – Sawley
(Leaflet 1)
The county council will revise the timetable, adjusting the 1640 Saturday only journey to also operate Monday to Friday. There are no changes to the route.
Pilkingtonbus will operate this service on behalf of Lancashire County Council.
Service 5/5A Clitheroe – Whalley – Ribchester – Longridge – Chipping
(Leaflet 2)
The county council will revise the timetable, adjusting the Monday to Saturday daytime frequency from a two hourly service to hourly and introduce a Sunday service.
This service will continue to operate between Clitheroe and Chipping via Whalley, Hurst Green, Ribchester and Longridge.
The service will operate every hour during Monday to Saturday daytime and a new two hourly Sunday and Bank Holiday daytime service will also be introduced.
Pilkingtonbus will operate this service on behalf of Lancashire County Council.
Service 15 Clitheroe – Accrington – Royal Blackburn Hospital
(Leaflet 6)
The county council will introduce this new direct service restoring the link to Royal Blackburn Hospital from many parts of Ribble Valley and Hyndburn.
This new service will operate between Clitheroe and Royal Blackburn Hospital via Whalley, Great Harwood, Rishton, Clayton-le-Moors, Accrington, Oswaldtwistle and Guide.
The service will operate up to every hour during Monday to Saturday daytime.
Holmeswood Coaches will operate this service on behalf of Lancashire County Council.
Service 25 Clitheroe – Whalley – Mellor – Blackburn
Service 25A Mellor Brook – Mellor – Blackburn
(Leaflet 2)
The county council will revise and standardise the timetable throughout Monday to Saturday and introduce a Sunday service.
These services will continue to operate between Clitheroe/Mellor Brook and Blackburn via Whalley, Brockhall, Langho and Mellor.
The services will operate every hour between Blackburn and Mellor during Monday to Saturday daytime, with Services 25 & 25A extending two hourly to Clitheroe and Mellor Brook respectively. A new two hourly Sunday and Bank Holiday daytime Service 25A will also be introduced, between Mellor Brook and Blackburn.
Pilkingtonbus will operate the Monday to Saturday service and Rotala Preston Bus will operate the Sunday & Bank Holiday service on behalf of Lancashire County Council.
Service 45 Preston – Broughton – Whittingham – Longridge – Blackburn
(Leaflet 13)
The county council will revise the timetable, adjusting times to operate in conjunction with new Service 46, enhancing the service frequency between Preston and Longridge via Broughton and Whittingham and introduce a Sunday service.
The service will continue to operate generally every hour during Monday to Saturday daytime, together with the introduction of a new two-hourly Sunday daytime service. In conjunction with Service 46 the frequency between Preston City Centre and Longridge via Broughton, Goosnargh and Whittingham will increase to generally every 30 minutes during Monday to Saturday daytime.
Rotala Preston Bus will operate this service on behalf of Lancashire County Council.
Service 46 Preston – Woodplumpton – Broughton – Whittingham – Longridge
(Leaflet 13)
The county council will introduce this new service, maintaining a service for Cadley, Woodplumpton and Broughton, partially replacing the amended Services 15 & 77A. The service is extended from Broughton through to Longridge via Goosnargh and Whittingham, increasing the service provision in conjunction with Service 45.
In Longridge town centre, the service will loop Calder Avenue and Higher Road serving additional areas within the town including Beacon Fell Caravan Park. This follows a number of requests from local residents for the restoration of a bus service link.
The service will operate generally every hour during Monday to Saturday daytime. In conjunction with Service 45 the frequency between Preston City Centre and Longridge via Broughton, Goosnargh and Whittingham will increase to generally every 30 minutes during Monday to Saturday daytime.
Rotala Preston Bus will operate this service on behalf of Lancashire County Council.
Service 280 Preston – Clitheroe – Barnoldswick – Skipton
(Leaflet 20)
In partnership with the county council, Stagecoach in Merseyside & South Lancashire will enhance the timetable to operate more journeys through to Skipton and introduce a Sunday daytime service.
This service will continue to operate between Preston and Skipton via Mellor Brook, Whalley, Clitheroe, Chatburn, Gisburn, Barnoldswick and Earby.
The service will operate every hour during Monday to Saturday daytime and a new two hourly Sunday and Bank Holiday daytime service will also be introduced.
Burnley & Rossendale
Service 481 Bury – Rawtenstall – Haslingden – Blackburn
(Rosso leaflet)
In partnership with the county council, Transdev Rosso will revise the timetable, extending the Sunday and Bank Holiday service between Bury and Rawtenstall throughout the whole route to Blackburn.
This service will continue to operate between Bury and Rawtenstall extending to Blackburn via Haslingden, Belthorn and Royal Blackburn Hospital.
Complementing the Monday to Saturday daytime service, the new extended Sunday and Bank Holiday service will operate every hour.
Service 483 Bury – Rawtenstall – Waterfoot – Water – Burnley
(Rosso leaflet)
In partnership with the county council, Transdev Rosso will revise the timetable, extending the Sunday and Bank Holiday service between Bury and Rawtenstall throughout the whole route to Burnley.
This service will continue to operate between Bury and Rawtenstall extending to Burnley via Newchurch, Waterfoot, Water and Towneley.
Complementing the Monday to Saturday daytime service, the new extended Sunday and Bank Holiday service will operate every hour.