LANCASHIRE bus operator Transdev have announced plans to upgrade its inter-urban bus route.

The company says that the new buses on the Hotline route, which travels between Blackburn, Burnley and Preston, will feature USB power hubs, lower emission engines and audio-visual stop announcements.

Times and fares meanwhile will remain the same, with the current lockdown timetable featuring a bus every 30 minutes on Monday to Fridays and every hour on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the route.

Transdev CEO Alex Hornby said: “We’ve turned up the heat for our Hotline inter-urban bus service, with a smart new look now in place on this ever-popular route.

“With this upgrade, we’re investing now to build buses back better beyond the pandemic. Our Hotline route is vitally important to our many customers who use it to reach work and leisure destinations every week, and to the wider post-pandemic economic recovery of Lancashire."

Lancashire Telegraph:

The new look busses

The new look buses debuted at the start of this week on Monday February 15, while Transdev says that it is currently planning for a future beyond the pandemic by delivering higher quality service and more comfort for passengers.

Managers hope that the route will provide essential connections seven days a week for work and leisure once such trips become possible again.

For the time being however, the company says it remains committed to helping key workers with essential travel and hopes that the new look buses will be used for this purpose.

Mr Hornby said: “Our buses will continue to provide transport for key workers and those making essential journeys, just as we have throughout the pandemic.

"With an eye-catching new livery on the outside and new features on the inside, our new-look Hotline buses are ready for what we hope will be a much brighter year ahead for Lancashire.”

For full details of the Hotline bus service, including timetables, a route map and fares, go to: https://www.transdevbus.co.uk/hotline.