East Lancashire set for bus service changes this month

10:00am Thursday 6th September 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Vanessa Cornall, Crime reporter

A MAJOR shake-up of bus services in East Lancashire is set to be implemented later this month.

Transdev Lancashire United bus company has announced plans to cancel bus services, reduce late night services and simplify routes.

The changes, from September 16, will affect bus users in Blackburn, Darwen and Hyndburn.

Transdev are cutting the Blackburn town centre to Shadsworth via Royal Blackburn Hospital number 17 service as well as cutting the late bus to Great Harwood, numbers six and seven.

The bus service between Blackburn and Great Harwood which currently runs until 11pm, will stop at 7pm from now on, much to the anger of many bus users.

Nigel Eggleton, director of sales and marketing, said: “The majority of our passengers will see an improved service with more frequent and reliable buses.

“We have targeted the changes where demand is high and the number of people using the buses is growing. For example, there will be more buses to and from Royal Blackburn Hospital which is a key destination.”

Transport bosses said some buses will now terminate in Blackburn town centre rather than running across the town.

Most buses coming into town will now drop off in Ainsworth Street for easy access to the Market, The Mall and other shopping areas.

Other improvements include simplifying route numbers for buses running from Blackburn to Darwen and Clitheroe, Blackburn to Accrington and Blackburn to Bolton.

Mr Eggleton said: “We are constantly reviewing our network to reflect the changes in people’s travel patterns and demands. We have listened to our passengers and taken on board their comments for improved connections, more frequent buses and simplified services.

“We have taken the difficult decision to reduce the number of buses in the evening because they are simply not being used by enough people.”

Comments (3)

10:53am Thu 6 Sep 12

frank says...

"Nigel Eggleton, director of sales and marketing, said: “The majority of our passengers will see an improved service with more frequent and reliable buses. "
they don't know the meaning of the words improved or reliable- not if you've lived in great harwood since they scrapped the hyndburn circular.
as for his comments about more buses to the hospital, it's a bit pointless telling that to people in Great harwood who'd have to spend a tenner to get home.
"Nigel Eggleton, director of sales and marketing, said: “The majority of our passengers will see an improved service with more frequent and reliable buses. " they don't know the meaning of the words improved or reliable- not if you've lived in great harwood since they scrapped the hyndburn circular. as for his comments about more buses to the hospital, it's a bit pointless telling that to people in Great harwood who'd have to spend a tenner to get home. frank

11:55am Mon 10 Sep 12

anonther says...

Where does this leave the Pennine Reach project upon which much money has been already spent and has yet to turn a wheel?
Transdev have effectively dumped the old 'Hyndburn Circular' route which was opened 10/14 years ago with great fanfare and much investment in raised kerb bus stops and gallons of yellow paint parking restrictions - all paid for by the council tax payers of the time. Will Transdev be making any form of reimbursment to the taxpayer for this investment?
Is Pennine Reach to become another white elephant paid for by the taxpayer?
It now seems obvious that public transport, unless operating in high population density area such as London and city centres, will always run at a loss and be maintained only by subsidy from the tax payer.
Perhaps it's time for the powers that be to withdraw the public transport subsidies (including those for fuel) and divert the savings to build decent access road and carparks for our embattled town centres. The people obviously much prefer travelling in their own transport which, rather importantly, goes where you want to go. And, as using the bus for the vast majority is not an either/or decision - they have a taxed and insured car parked at the door - why pay out again to use the bus which will take much longer to get you to somewhere you don't want to go and charge you an arm and a leg to do it.
Where does this leave the Pennine Reach project upon which much money has been already spent and has yet to turn a wheel? Transdev have effectively dumped the old 'Hyndburn Circular' route which was opened 10/14 years ago with great fanfare and much investment in raised kerb bus stops and gallons of yellow paint parking restrictions - all paid for by the council tax payers of the time. Will Transdev be making any form of reimbursment to the taxpayer for this investment? Is Pennine Reach to become another white elephant paid for by the taxpayer? It now seems obvious that public transport, unless operating in high population density area such as London and city centres, will always run at a loss and be maintained only by subsidy from the tax payer. Perhaps it's time for the powers that be to withdraw the public transport subsidies (including those for fuel) and divert the savings to build decent access road and carparks for our embattled town centres. The people obviously much prefer travelling in their own transport which, rather importantly, goes where you want to go. And, as using the bus for the vast majority is not an either/or decision - they have a taxed and insured car parked at the door - why pay out again to use the bus which will take much longer to get you to somewhere you don't want to go and charge you an arm and a leg to do it. anonther

8:11pm Sun 16 Sep 12

Juan Hunose says...

If people were using the buses then why would Transdev withdraw services or journeys? What have the Councils done about congestion along the route, especially in Clayton-le-Moors?
If people were using the buses then why would Transdev withdraw services or journeys? What have the Councils done about congestion along the route, especially in Clayton-le-Moors? Juan Hunose

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