BUS trips this summer across East Lancashire could cost as little as £1 as part of a bid by an operator to share what our town centres have to offer.

Single journeys after 7pm within Blackburn, Darwen and Accrington are being reduced to a pound as part of a six-week trial initiative on Lancashire United and Lancashire Way services, run by Transdev.

And travelling further afield to Burnley, Bolton Clitheroe, Haslingden and Preston will only set passengers back £2, one way, from next Monday.

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Even catching the X41 service to Manchester, via Prestwich, will only be £6 for a round-trip under the scheme, which could be rolled out to services like Mainline, Starship and Hyndburn Connect if it proves to be successful.

John Threlfall, Trans-dev’s operations director, said: “By introducing our new evening fares, we hope to provide people with an affordable alternative to taxis and trains when getting about in the evenings.

“We’re keen to get more people on our buses after 7pm and see introducing lower fares, particularly at this time of year when people are making the most of longer evenings, as a wonderful way to do this.

“There’s such a lot to do in the evenings in our East Lancashire towns, from visiting friends and enjoying leisure facilities to eating out and visiting new pubs.”

The evening rate tickets are not currently available via the firm’s Lancashire Bus app, officials have advised, but must be purchased on board. Major investments have recently been made in a fleet of new WiFi friendly buses for both the 152 services, between Preston, Blackburn and Burnley, and the Witch Way route, linking Nelson, Burnley and Rawtenstall with Manchester.