UPDATE to Previous Post: Bus Services Change 28th Aug 2016

Since our last post, we have been talking to operators with a view to one of them possibly taking on the Outer Circle service on a commercial basis. Unlike the other routes that have been replaced, we have not been as successful with the Outer Circle, 5A and 5C services with operators citing it was too expensive to operate given the numbers using it. So with that in mind, we regret that the Outer Circle will cease operation after its last journey on the 27^th August.

For many, it will still be possible to make your journey albeit by using connecting services at Blackburn Bus station.

For Schools:

Connecting Buses from Blackburn Bus Station to…

     Witton Park: Service 152 (towards Preston)

     Tauheedul Islam Girls School & 6^th form College: Service 59

     Tauheedul Islam Boys High School: Service SHS via Royal Blackburn Hospital

     Blackburn Central High School: Services, SHS or 244

     Pleckgate High School: Service 35

     St Bedes: Service 4 (via Mill Hill) or Service 24 (via Ewood)

     St Marys College: Service 35

     St Wilfrid’s: Services 4 or 152

     Shadsworth Industrial Estate: Service SHS (first bus 06:30)

     Royal Blackburn Hospital: Services SHS, 33, 33A, 244

For more general information about your route or connections, please contact…

The Visitor Centre

01254 688040

or email: visit@blackburn.gov.uk

http://theshuttle.org.uk/blackburns-outer-circle-bus-service-to-end

Bus Service Changes - 28th August 2016

As was announced earlier this month, Transdev Lancashire United are to withdraw a number of services within the borough. These being…

   Service 2: Blackburn to Darwen via RBH

   Service 3: Blackburn to Little Harwood and Sunnybower

   Service 8: Blackburn - Wimberley Circular.

   Service 9: Blackburn - Revidge Circular  

   Service 314: Blackburn to Whitebirk Ind Estate.

They also announced that the SHS (Shadsworth Shuttle) will be rerouted from Lower Audley, Audley Range and North Road, to operate via Grimshaw Park, Haslingden Road and RBH to Shadsworth, leaving Audley and North road un-served.

Unfortunately, We have not been able to ensure cover for Audley Range/North Road or the Whitebirk Industrial Estate at this time.

Following discussions with other operators, Darwen Coach Services (DCS) have come forward with proposals to cover much of the routes left without a service, albeit in a different format, incorporating some within their own existing services. This will ensure as much of the exiting routes have some service cover. See below for the new DCS Blackburn services, routes and timetables.

In order to make sure these routes are served as best they can be, it has meant that some services in Darwen are also being changed. These will be minor route and timetable changes. Those affected are…

   Service D1: Sunnyhurst,

   Service D3: Bold Venture,

   Service D6: Knowlesly Road,

   Service 37/37A: Edgworth

   Service 38: Belmont

See below for the new DCS Darwen Town routes and timetables.

The end of August also sees the natural end of the current contracted services 5A and 5C, Outer Circle. The decision by the council is not to renew this contract. The amount of savings needed to be made for the 2016/2017 financial year, with even greater savings to be made in 2017/2018, simply means it is not possible to continue to subsidise this service.

Again, we have been talking to other operators about this, even if it meant picking up elements of the service to make them commercially viable, but as yet, we have not been successful in this.

Darwen Coach Services have also announced the introduction of a new daily or weekly ticket available on any of their services (excluding school services)

Daily Adult ticket... £3.60    Child £1.80
Weekly Adult ticket... £12.00   Child £6.00

Darwen Coach Services new Blackburn routes and timetables...

Darwen Coach Services new Darwen routes and timetables...

For further information regarding service withdrawn by Transdev Lancashire United, please call them direct on 01254 51112.

For information regarding the new Darwen Coach Services routes or timetables, please call them direct on 07802 288136