Residents across Lancashire can now enjoy shorter wait times and extended evening travel options, thanks to recent enhancements to several bus services. The improvements, spanning Hyndburn, Preston, Lancaster, and Chorley, have been made possible through additional funding known as ‘BSIP plus,’ supporting Lancashire’s £34.1 million Bus Service Improvement Plan.
Blackburn and Hyndburn
Passengers using Service 6/7, connecting Blackburn bus station to Great Harwood, Accrington, and Oswaldtwistle, are experiencing the benefits of later services. The final bus now departs from Blackburn at 11.03 pm on weekdays and Saturdays, with additional Sunday journeys extending the timetable until around 10 pm. These changes aim to address concerns about speeding raised by local residents, particularly with the new housing development in the area.
Lancaster and Morecambe
A new circular route, introduced in Morecambe, enhances public transport access across various parts of the town. Services 6B/6C have merged with Service 33 to create a circular route covering outer areas of Morecambe, Bare, and Westgate. This initiative increases service frequency and accessibility, offering improved connectivity for residents.
Preston to Ormskirk
Service 2A, introduced on January 28, now provides a regular evening service from Preston to Ormskirk via Longton and Tarleton. Departures occur every hour from Preston between 6.20 pm and 10.30 pm, offering extended travel options for passengers.
Preston to Blackpool
Service 61, running from Preston to Blackpool via Kirkham, has seen an increase in journeys during off-peak daytime, moving from hourly to every 30 minutes from Monday to Saturday. The timetable extension also allows travelers to journey later into the evening, with the last departures from Preston to Blackpool at 10 pm.
Chorley
Service 127 has undergone route and timetable extensions, creating a new link through Astley Village to Chorley Hospital. This change provides a direct link from Adlington and Lower Adlington to the hospital while maintaining a service through Astley Village. The increased frequency, operating every hour from Monday to Saturday, enhances accessibility to bus services within the Chorley area.
County Councillor Scott Smith, Lancashire County Council’s lead member for highways and active travel, expressed enthusiasm about the improvements, highlighting the aim to encourage more people to use buses by providing convenient and expanded services. He emphasized the significance of later services for commuters and those enjoying evening activities.
Roads Minister Guy Opperman praised the collaboration between local councils, Lancashire County Council, and MPs, resulting in over £34 million in funding to enhance bus services across the region. The minister highlighted the positive impact on passengers, allowing them to travel more frequently and later with ease and peace of mind.
Residents are encouraged to explore these improved services, and further details can be found on the Lancashire County Council’s bus service changes page. As the council works closely with operators, the goal is to build passenger numbers and ensure the long-term sustainability of these valuable transportation services.