Blackburn Transport
Encyclopedia
Blackburn Transport was a British
bus company that operated bus services within the Borough of Blackburn and Darwen
and surrounding areas in Lancashire
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s, 48 double-deck and 13 single deck.
Buses started being introduced in 1929, when six routes were put into operation. 12 vehicles (6 Leyland Tigers
and 6 Leyland Titans) were put into service on these routes. Trams and buses operated together for the next 20 years.
The first tramway route was abandoned in favour of buses in 1935, although further plans to put more tramway routes out of action were put on hold due to the interruption of World War II
, during which time, tramway maintenance deteriorated markedly.
The tram system finally closed in September 1949. Tram number 74 made its final journey, from the Boulevard bus and tram station, to the Intack Depot, amongst crowds of people bidding their final farewells.
Blackburn Corporation bought 83 new buses to replace the defunct trams, and, as a result, it was a further 7 years before any more new buses were required.
From 1974, due to a re-organisation within the local government, the company became known as 'Borough of Blackburn Transport'. The livery changed from being predominantly green to green at the bottom, then white and also a red roof, recalling the predominant colour of neighbouring Darwen Transport, which Blackburn had absorbed. As a result, they were given the nickname of 'Italian flag'. Twelve Leyland Atlantean
s were the first vehicles to receive this new livery, a model of bus that would become a predominant feature of the fleet. In 1983, the livery changed again. The 'traditional all-green livery' style was brought back.
1986 saw the deregulation of public transport in the UK, and, as a result, it became a limited company
with the name 'Blackburn Borough Transport', but still owned by the council. It was more commonly known as 'Blackburn Transport', the name that was retained until their demise in 2006. The livery underwent yet another change, with the predominantly green scheme being split by white stripes around the windows. Also in this year, the company began operating holiday trips under 'Blackburn Coachlines'.
There was another livery change in 1990. The livery was switched to all cream-coloured, with some dark-green bands. At this time, the fleet was beginning to show its age, with the major part of the company's vehicles still being made up of Leyland Atlantean
s, although some of the older buses had been replaced by 26 new MCW Metrorider
s in the late 1980s. Second-hand buses and some new models were bought consistently from 1999, although intake slowed again after 2005 due to falling profits.
In 2002, the 'MetroNetwork' was introduced. This offered passengers a simpler view of the services network, known as 'tracks', and the fare structure was also amended, with the introduction of many fare-saving schemes. Some buses were given overall advertising to promote these features.
2003 saw many changes within the company. 'Blackburn Coachlines' was abandoned following a slump in passenger travel on the service following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Also, the new 'Schools +' services were introduced. These buses, mainly ECW Leyland Olympian
s were given a predominantly yellow livery, but with green relief. They were in full operation by August 2004.
In 2005, the company's website
was launched (see external links below) which offered customers up-to-date information on timetables
, fare
s and news and a section was also included for enthusiasts.
The first introduction of route-branded vehicles came in 2006, with the renaming of the old outer-circle service the 'OC'. Two double-decker buses were given a new orange, purple and yellow livery, and in a similar fashion to what Lancashire United
have done, created a new, separate website for the service. That year also brought news of falling profits, and the resulting take-over by fellow Blackburn bus operator Lancashire United
.
's Blazefield Group
subsidiary which, following a number of delays, finally took place on 22 January 2007. Unlike the earlier Yellow Buses
deal, the Blackburn & Darwen Council did not retain a stake in the company. Blackburn Transport will increasingly merge with Transdev neighbour Lancashire United
, now under a joint managing director. Fares and tickets became inter-available upon the take-over. Transdev will retain Blackburn Transport's name and livery, for the time being.
On 30 April 2007 the Office of Fair Trading approved the take-over of Blackburn Transport by Lancashire United. The details of the merger had been asked to be looked into by an un-named competitor, but the OFT have ruled that the merger is to their satisfaction and that it will not be referred to the Competition Commission (the old Monopolies & Mergers Commission).
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United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
bus company that operated bus services within the Borough of Blackburn and Darwen
Blackburn with Darwen
Blackburn with Darwen is a unitary authority area in Lancashire, North West England. It consists of Blackburn, the small town of Darwen to the south of it, and the surrounding countryside.-Formation:...
and surrounding areas in Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
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History
Blackburn Transport's roots go back to 1881, when Blackburn's first steam trams were put into operation by the Blackburn and Over Darwen Tramways Company. From 1898, the routes were operated by Blackburn and Darwen councils. From 1899, work began on converting the network to electric trams. The last route to be electrified was completed on December 4, 1903. Blackburn's fleet consisted of 61 tramTram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
s, 48 double-deck and 13 single deck.
Buses started being introduced in 1929, when six routes were put into operation. 12 vehicles (6 Leyland Tigers
Leyland Tiger (front-engined)
The Leyland Tiger was a heavyweight half-cab single-decker bus and coach chassis built by Leyland Motors between 1927 and 1968, except the period of World War II....
and 6 Leyland Titans) were put into service on these routes. Trams and buses operated together for the next 20 years.
The first tramway route was abandoned in favour of buses in 1935, although further plans to put more tramway routes out of action were put on hold due to the interruption of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, during which time, tramway maintenance deteriorated markedly.
The tram system finally closed in September 1949. Tram number 74 made its final journey, from the Boulevard bus and tram station, to the Intack Depot, amongst crowds of people bidding their final farewells.
Blackburn Corporation bought 83 new buses to replace the defunct trams, and, as a result, it was a further 7 years before any more new buses were required.
From 1974, due to a re-organisation within the local government, the company became known as 'Borough of Blackburn Transport'. The livery changed from being predominantly green to green at the bottom, then white and also a red roof, recalling the predominant colour of neighbouring Darwen Transport, which Blackburn had absorbed. As a result, they were given the nickname of 'Italian flag'. Twelve Leyland Atlantean
Leyland Atlantean
The Leyland Atlantean is a model of double-decker bus built by Leyland in the United Kingdom from 1958 to 1986....
s were the first vehicles to receive this new livery, a model of bus that would become a predominant feature of the fleet. In 1983, the livery changed again. The 'traditional all-green livery' style was brought back.
1986 saw the deregulation of public transport in the UK, and, as a result, it became a limited company
Limited company
A limited company is a company in which the liability of the members or subscribers of the company is limited to what they have invested or guaranteed to the company. Limited companies may be limited by shares or by guarantee. And the former of these, a limited company limited by shares, may be...
with the name 'Blackburn Borough Transport', but still owned by the council. It was more commonly known as 'Blackburn Transport', the name that was retained until their demise in 2006. The livery underwent yet another change, with the predominantly green scheme being split by white stripes around the windows. Also in this year, the company began operating holiday trips under 'Blackburn Coachlines'.
There was another livery change in 1990. The livery was switched to all cream-coloured, with some dark-green bands. At this time, the fleet was beginning to show its age, with the major part of the company's vehicles still being made up of Leyland Atlantean
Leyland Atlantean
The Leyland Atlantean is a model of double-decker bus built by Leyland in the United Kingdom from 1958 to 1986....
s, although some of the older buses had been replaced by 26 new MCW Metrorider
MCW Metrorider
The MCW Metrorider, launched by MCW at the 1986 Motor Show, was a midibus designed built by Metro Cammell Weymann between 1986 and 1989. Constructed in two lengths, 7.0 m and 8.4 m, the Metrorider was an integral bus, marking it out from its van-based rivals of the time.It was the second...
s in the late 1980s. Second-hand buses and some new models were bought consistently from 1999, although intake slowed again after 2005 due to falling profits.
In 2002, the 'MetroNetwork' was introduced. This offered passengers a simpler view of the services network, known as 'tracks', and the fare structure was also amended, with the introduction of many fare-saving schemes. Some buses were given overall advertising to promote these features.
2003 saw many changes within the company. 'Blackburn Coachlines' was abandoned following a slump in passenger travel on the service following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Also, the new 'Schools +' services were introduced. These buses, mainly ECW Leyland Olympian
Leyland Olympian
The Leyland Olympian was a double-decker bus built by British Leyland/Leyland Bus in the United Kingdom from 1980 to 1993. It was the last Leyland bus model in production before the demise of Leyland Bus.-Construction:...
s were given a predominantly yellow livery, but with green relief. They were in full operation by August 2004.
In 2005, the company's website
Website
A website, also written as Web site, web site, or simply site, is a collection of related web pages containing images, videos or other digital assets. A website is hosted on at least one web server, accessible via a network such as the Internet or a private local area network through an Internet...
was launched (see external links below) which offered customers up-to-date information on timetables
Public transport timetable
A public transport timetable is a representation of public transport information to assist a passenger with planning a trip using public transport. A timetable details when vehicle will arrive and depart specified locations and may be organised for by route or for a particular stop...
, fare
Fare
A fare is the fee paid by a passenger allowing him or her to make use of a public transport system: rail, bus, taxi, etc. In the case of air transport, the term airfare is often used.-Uses:...
s and news and a section was also included for enthusiasts.
The first introduction of route-branded vehicles came in 2006, with the renaming of the old outer-circle service the 'OC'. Two double-decker buses were given a new orange, purple and yellow livery, and in a similar fashion to what Lancashire United
Lancashire United
Transdev Lancashire United is an English bus operator, running mainly in and around the boroughs of Blackburn, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley. The company was founded in April 2001 following the buyout of Stagecoach Ribble by Blazefield Holdings and has since overcome other operators...
have done, created a new, separate website for the service. That year also brought news of falling profits, and the resulting take-over by fellow Blackburn bus operator Lancashire United
Lancashire United
Transdev Lancashire United is an English bus operator, running mainly in and around the boroughs of Blackburn, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley. The company was founded in April 2001 following the buyout of Stagecoach Ribble by Blazefield Holdings and has since overcome other operators...
.
Takeover
On 16 August 2006, the council announced that after 125 years of municipal ownership, Blackburn Transport would pass to TransdevTransdev
Transdev was a major international public transport group based in Issy-les-Moulineaux near Paris, France and operating in several countries. Originally created as Société centrale pour l'équipement du territoire in 1955 and developing transportation activities since 1973, Transdev was a subsidiary...
's Blazefield Group
Blazefield Group
Transdev Blazefield is one of the main bus groups in England. Owner of several bus companies around the Yorkshire and Lancashire regions, since 2006 it has been part of the international transport company Transdev.-History:...
subsidiary which, following a number of delays, finally took place on 22 January 2007. Unlike the earlier Yellow Buses
Transdev Yellow Buses
Yellow Buses is a bus operator based in Bournemouth, on the south coast of England, owned by the RATP Group, a company owned by the government of France. Although most routes are restricted to the Bournemouth local authority area, an increasing number are expanding into the adjacent areas of...
deal, the Blackburn & Darwen Council did not retain a stake in the company. Blackburn Transport will increasingly merge with Transdev neighbour Lancashire United
Lancashire United
Transdev Lancashire United is an English bus operator, running mainly in and around the boroughs of Blackburn, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley. The company was founded in April 2001 following the buyout of Stagecoach Ribble by Blazefield Holdings and has since overcome other operators...
, now under a joint managing director. Fares and tickets became inter-available upon the take-over. Transdev will retain Blackburn Transport's name and livery, for the time being.
On 30 April 2007 the Office of Fair Trading approved the take-over of Blackburn Transport by Lancashire United. The details of the merger had been asked to be looked into by an un-named competitor, but the OFT have ruled that the merger is to their satisfaction and that it will not be referred to the Competition Commission (the old Monopolies & Mergers Commission).
Local/Metro Network
Routes listed here before the takeover are now operated by Lancashire UnitedLancashire United
Transdev Lancashire United is an English bus operator, running mainly in and around the boroughs of Blackburn, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley. The company was founded in April 2001 following the buyout of Stagecoach Ribble by Blazefield Holdings and has since overcome other operators...
.
| Track 1 | Darwen Cemetery - Darwen - Blackburn - Accrington | |
| Track 2 | Blackburn - Wilpshire Warrenside Close | |
| Track 4 | Blackburn - Higher Croft circular | |
| Track 5a | Blackburn Outer Circle Anti-Clockwise | |
| Track 5c | Blackburn Outer Circle Clockwise | |
| Track 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d | Blackburn - Shadsworth circulars | |
| Track 10 | Blackburn - Witton Wensley Fold | |
| Track 10a | Blackburn - Lammack - Beardwood - Revidge - Wensley Fold circular (evenings and Sundays) | |
| Track 10C | Blackburn - Wensley Fold - Revidge - Beardwood - Lammack circular (evenings and Sundays) | |
| Track 11 | Blackburn - Witton Gorse Road | |
| Track 12 | Blackburn - Lammack - Revidge | |
| Track 13 | Blackburn - Revidge - Mellor - Mellor Brook/Osbaldeston | |
| Track 14 | Blackburn - Little Harwood - Sunnybower | |
| Track 15 | Blackburn - Royal Blackburn Hospital - Chapels - Darwen Darwen Darwen is a market town and civil parish located within Lancashire, England. Along with its northerly neighbour, Blackburn, it forms the Borough of Blackburn with Darwen — a unitary authority area... , 15A and 15C to Hoddlesden/Spring Vale (evenings) |
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| Track 16 | Blackburn - Royal Blackburn Hospital - Darwen Darwen Darwen is a market town and civil parish located within Lancashire, England. Along with its northerly neighbour, Blackburn, it forms the Borough of Blackburn with Darwen — a unitary authority area... - Hoddlesden or Spring Vale |
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| Track 18 | Blackburn - Mill Hill - Green Lane - Feniscowles | |
| Track 19 | Blackburn - Ewood - Leyburn Road - Feniscowles | |
| Track 21 | Openshaw Drive - Blackburn - Mill Hill | |
| Track 22A | Blackburn - Mill Hill - Green Lane - Leybun Road circular | |
| Track 22C | Blackburn - Mill Hill - Leyburn Road - Green Lane circular | |
| Track 22 | Blackburn - Mill Hill - Green Lane circular |
Contract services
Blackburn Transport operated several council and school contracts around Blackburn, Darwen and surrounding areas. The company also operated school contracts in the Blackpool and Fylde area.| 39 | Blackburn - Buncer Lane - Pleasington cemetery | |
| 314 | Darwen - Blackburn - East Lancashire Coachbuilders East Lancashire Coachbuilders East Lancashire Coachbuilders Limited was a manufacturer of bus bodies and carriages founded in 1934 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England.In 1994 the company expanded in to new premises and commenced a programme of development that resulted in a range of single and double deck buses which was the... |
Football bus
On match days when the Blackburn Rovers football team were playing a special bus service was provided for those visiting the match at Ewood ParkEwood Park
Ewood Park is a football stadium in the English town of Blackburn, Lancashire, and is the home of Blackburn Rovers Football Club — one of the founder members of the Football League and Premier League. Rovers have played there since they moved from Leamington Street in the summer of 1890. The...
.
- A Accrington - Blackburn - Ewood Park
- C Darwen Cemetery - Darwen - Ewood Park
Fleet
Blackburn Transport owned a mixed fleet of over 95 low-floor and step-entrance single and double deck buses with four of them stationed at Blackpool for school contract work, this fleet is now inherited and operated by Lancashire UnitedLancashire United
Transdev Lancashire United is an English bus operator, running mainly in and around the boroughs of Blackburn, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley. The company was founded in April 2001 following the buyout of Stagecoach Ribble by Blazefield Holdings and has since overcome other operators...
.
| Type | Body | Number | ||
| Single deck vehicles | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis Dart Dennis Dart The Dennis Dart is a rear-engined midibus built by Dennis in the United Kingdom. More than 11,000 were built during 18 years of production.... |
Plaxton/Transbus MPD | 16 | ||
| Optare MetroRider Optare MetroRider The Optare MetroRider was a midibus built by Optare between 1989 and 2000. Optare based the original design on the MCW Metrorider after Optare bought the rights following a decision by MCW to end bus production. This model also replaced the less successful StarRider.The MetroRider was an integral... |
Optare | 14 | ||
| Volvo B6 Volvo B6 The Volvo B6 is a midibus manufactured by Volvo between 1991 and 2000. Its low-floor variant, the Volvo B6LE, was first built in 1994.The Volvo B6/B6LE chassis was built to compete with the Dennis Dart/Dart SLF chassis. It could be fitted with Volvo TD63E/TD63ES engine... R |
East Lancs EL2000 East Lancs EL2000 The East Lancs EL2000 is a type of single-deck bus body built on a wide variety of chassis by East Lancashire Coachbuilders.-Chassis:Many different chassis types, both new and secondhand, were fitted with EL2000 bodywork... |
4 | ||
| Volvo B10BLE Volvo B10BLE The Volvo B10BLE is a low-entry city bus chassis which was popular in Scandinavia, the United Kingdom and Australia. It was launched around 1992 with the engine mounted on the rear overhang of the bus. It was the successor of the citybus version of Volvo B10B and is used as a base for single-deck... |
Wright Renown Wright Renown The Wright Renown is a low floor single-deck bus body built on Volvo B10BLE chassis by Wright.Over 800 Renowns were built between 1997 and 2002, making it somewhat more successful than the B10L-based Liberator.... |
12 | ||
| Double deck vehicles | ||||
| Leyland Olympian Leyland Olympian The Leyland Olympian was a double-decker bus built by British Leyland/Leyland Bus in the United Kingdom from 1980 to 1993. It was the last Leyland bus model in production before the demise of Leyland Bus.-Construction:... |
Leyland Leyland Bus Leyland Bus was a British bus manufacturer. It emerged from the Rover Group as a management buyout of the bus business... |
5 | ||
| Leyland Olympian | ROE | 1 | ||
| Leyland Olympian Leyland Olympian The Leyland Olympian was a double-decker bus built by British Leyland/Leyland Bus in the United Kingdom from 1980 to 1993. It was the last Leyland bus model in production before the demise of Leyland Bus.-Construction:... |
E.C.W | 25 | ||
| Volvo Olympian Volvo Olympian The Volvo Olympian was a rear-engine double decker bus built by Volvo at Irvine, North Ayrshire, Scotland. It was first built in 1992 and entered production in March 1993, replacing the Leyland Olympian.... |
Northern Counties | 3 | ||
| Dennis Trident 2 Dennis Trident 2 Dennis Trident 2 is a 2-axle low-floor double-decker bus chassis originally built by Dennis in the United Kingdom, which was unveiled in 1997 and replaced the Dennis Arrow... |
East Lancs Myllennium Lolyne East Lancs Myllennium Lolyne The East Lancs Myllennium Lolyne is a type of bus body built on the Dennis Trident 2 chassis by East Lancashire Coachbuilders.-History:The Myllennium Lolyne superseded the East Lancs Lolyne. The Lolyne was also the East Lancs body for the Dennis Trident 2, but in 2000, was given a facelift with... |
5 | ||