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Blackburn Transport

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Blackburn Transport was a British bus company that ran within the Borough of Blackburn and Darwen and surrounding areas.

Blackburn Transport LTD
Founded1881
HeadquartersIntack,Whitebirk Road Blackburn (
Service area United Kingdom)
Service typeBus services
DestinationsBlackburn, Accrington, Darwen and surrounding areas.
FleetApprox 120 buses.

History

Blackburn Transport's routes go back to 1881, when Blackburn's first steam trams were put into operation by the Blackburn and Over Darwen Tramways Company. From 1899, work began on converting the network to electric trams. The last route to be electrified was completed on December 4th, 1903. Blackburn's fleet comprised of 61 trams, 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 was abandoned in favour of buses in 1935, although further plans to put more tramways out of action were put on hold due to the interruption of World War II, during which time, tramway maintenance became of very inferior quality.

The final tramway was 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 offering 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 anymore 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 Atlanteans 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, the company became 'Blackburn Borough Transport', more commonly referred to as just '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'.

1990 saw another livery change. 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 Atlanteans. 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 more 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 Olympians 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, fares and news and a section was also included for enthusiasts.

2006 saw the first introduction of route-branded vehicles, 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.

Takeover

On 16 August 2006, the council announced that after 125 years of municipal ownership, Blackburn Transport would pass to Transdev'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).

Routes

Local/Metro Network

Routes listed here before the takeover are now operated by Lancashire United.

  • 1 Darwen Cemetery - Darwen - Blackburn - Accrington
  • 2 Blackburn - Wilpshire Warrenside Close
  • 4 Blackburn - Higher Croft circular
  • 5a Blackburn Outer Circle anticlockwise
  • 5c Blackburn Outer Circle clockwise
  • 8 Blackburn - Audley - Shadsworth circulars
  • 10 Blackburn - Wensley Fold
  • 10a Blackburn - Lammack - Beardwood - Revidge - Wensley Fold circular (evenings and Sundays)
  • 10c Blackburn - Wensley Fold - Revidge - Beardwood - Lammack circular (evenings and Sundays)
  • 11 Blackburn - Witton
  • 12 Blackburn - Lammack - Revidge circulars
  • 13 Blackburn - Revidge - Mellor - Mellor Brook/Osbaldeston
  • 14 Sunnybower - Little Harwood - Blackburn / then continues as 19 to Feniscowles (evenings & Sundays)
  • 15 Blackburn - Royal Blackburn Hospital - Chapels - Darwen, 15A and 15C to Hoddlesden/Spring Vale (evenings)
  • 16 Blackburn - Royal Blackburn Hospital - Darwen - Hoddlesden(16) or Spring Vale(16b)
  • 18 Blackburn - Mill Hill - Feniscowles
  • 19 Blackburn - Ewood - Leyburn Road - Feniscowles
  • 19 Sunnybower - Blackburn - Ewood - Leyburn Road - Feniscowles (evenings and Sundays)
  • 21 Openshaw Drive - Blackburn - Mill Hill
  • 22 Blackburn - Mill Hill - Moorgate - Green Lane circular (evenings and Sundays)
  • 22a Blackburn - Mill Hill - Moorgate - Leyburn Road - Green Lane circular
  • 22c Blackburn - Mill Hill - Green Lane - Leyburn Road - Moorgate circular

Contract services

Blackburn Transport ran several council and school contracts around Blackburn, Darwen and surrounding areas. The company also operated school contracts in the Blackpool and Fylde area.

Soccer bus

On match days when Blackburn Rovers are playing a special bus service was provided for those visiting the match at Ewood Park.

  • 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 United.

Low floor buses
Step entrance buses

See also

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