A COUNCIL has insisted late-night bus services in Blackburn will not be affected because of a change in provider.

A contract for routes including Revidge, Higher Croft and the hospital and Sunny Bower, has been awarded to Darwen Coach Company, which will take over on January 27.

The services are currently run by Transdev.

Blackburn with Darwen Council assured passengers that although there may be some timetable changes, the frequency of late night services would stay the same.

Coun Dave Harling, executive member for regeneration, said that although there might be slight changes to timetables, the service would continue as normal. He said: “Darwen Coach Services have recently introduced commercial services to some of these areas in the daytime, so the council decided to tender the evening and Sunday services on an open basis.

“The overall service on these routes will be maintained, however, slight adjustments to the times of buses will be made.”

Peter Graham, transport manager at Darwen Coach Company, said: “We are delighted to have won the contract.

“We are offering a quality service at a reduced price to the council.

“We are looking forward to providing a great service to bus users on those routes.”

John Threlfall, business director at Lancashire United, which includes Transdev, said: “It is a disappointment that we have not got the tender again.

“The council awards tenders based on both prices and quality.

“Our quality is to a high standard but our prices may also be. It is a concern that we have lost work but there is no danger of us having to make job losses as it was a fairly small contract in the scheme of things.”