Lancashire Bus Tenders - March 2025

[northern506]

Tenders have recently been awarded for several services in Lancashire, as seen here: https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/media/958628/january-2024-to-december-2024.pdf

In summary, Preston Bus are the big losers and Vision Bus the big gainers.

Here is a list of operator changes in full:

C2 Clitheroe Circular: Holmeswood Coaches to Vision Bus
3/5/5A/25/25A Ribble Valley Services - Pilkington Bus to Vision Bus
15 Accrington - Clitheroe: Holmeswood Coaches to Vision Bus
44 Preston - Lea: No change (Preston Bus)
45 Preston - Blackburn: Preston Bus to Vision Bus
76, 78 Blackpool/Great Eccleston-St Annes: Preston Bus to Archway Travel
110 Preston - Wigan: Stagecoach to Holmeswood Coaches
112 Preston (now Leyland) - Croston: Holmeswood Coaches to Vision Bus
114 Preston - Chorley: Preston Bus to Tyrers
337, 347 Chorley - Southport: Stagecoach to Vision Bus

 

[Ant158]

Some interesting changes there.

Holmeswood have had the 15 service for a good while. Clitheroe will see a lot of Vision buses now. Also Pilkington Bus appear to be losing a lot of work.

They have also stated new vehicles will be introduced, wonder if these will be more Enviro 200mmc or some other model.

 

[M60lad]

Is 110 Preston-Wigan going to be a variation of the current 111 route as currently there isn't a 110 route?
Is 114 going to be extended back to Preston as currently it only runs Chorley-Leyland Tesco?

Looks like quite a number of MMC200s combined are going to be ordered by both Archway and Vision Bus as from what I've read elsewhere Vision Bus have actually said they'll be introducing brand new vehicles onto these tenders.

 

[CN12 AWU]

110? As far as I'm aware doesn't exist well deffinatly not by Stagecoach think that's 111 misprinted

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Dec 2024 ==

Also on the link it says 110 was not awarded which I suspect means Stagecoach will keep it as current 111

 

[Mollman]

110? As far as I'm aware doesn't exist well deffinatly not by Stagecoach think that's 111 misprinted

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Dec 2024 ==

Also on the link it says 110 was not awarded which I suspect means Stagecoach will keep it as current 111

The 111 is a commercial route however LCC and TfGM currently fund the hourly extension to Wigan which is the part that has been tendered. It will now be part of a new 110 Preston - Wigan which will interwork with the 112 at Preston hence on the same contract. The non-awarded contracts were alternative options to some of those awarded.

 

[CN12 AWU]

The 111 is a commercial route however LCC and TfGM currently fund the hourly extension to Wigan which is the part that has been tendered. It will now be part of a new 110 Preston - Wigan which will interwork with the 112 at Preston hence on the same contract. The non-awarded contracts were alternative options to some of those awarded.

Says on the LCC link that the 110 has not been tendered yet

 

[northern506]

Says on the LCC link that the 110 has not been tendered yet

The reasons for this is stated in the post above:

"The non-awarded contracts were alternative options to some of those awarded."

So they won't be awarded.

 

[CN12 AWU]

The reasons for this is stated in the post above:

"The non-awarded contracts were alternative options to some of those awarded."

So they won't be awarded.

I heard Stagecoach were increasing frequency on 111 from April to Wigan more oftern

So guess this has been dropped and 111 will revert to Leyland only from Preston?

 

[LancasterRed]

Been told Preston Bus have lost 5 services, so assuming the 46 is also going to Vision Bus.

44 extended to Lea? Interesting considering the 20 has just been introduced, unless they're considering Lea Endowed and the area around Cottam/the former Saddle area part of it.

110(111?) going to Holmeswood is massive, this is a major route.

 

[Leedsbusman]

110(111?) going to Holmeswood is massive, this is a major route.

It’s an hourly tendered service so defiantly not either major or massive!

 

[northern506]

Been told Preston Bus have lost 5 services, so assuming the 46 is also going to Vision Bus.

44 extended to Lea? Interesting considering the 20 has just been introduced, unless they're considering Lea Endowed and the area around Cottam/the former Saddle area part of it.

110(111?) going to Holmeswood is massive, this is a major route.

Sorry, my original post had a couple of mistakes.

The 46 included in the 45 contract.

The 44 contract also includes the 48.

 

[LancasterRed]

It’s an hourly tendered service so defiantly not either major or massive!

If it was a typo and it was the 111 like myself and a few others in this thread thought it certainly would have been!

 

[northern506]

If it was a typo and it was the 111 like myself and a few others in this thread thought it certainly would have been!

It’s not the 111

 

[AlastairFraser]

Tenders have recently been awarded for several services in Lancashire, as seen here: https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/media/958628/january-2024-to-december-2024.pdf

In summary, Preston Bus are the big losers and Vision Bus the big gainers.

Here is a list of operator changes in full:

C2 Clitheroe Circular: Holmeswood Coaches to Vision Bus
3/5/5A/25/25A Ribble Valley Services - Pilkington Bus to Vision Bus
15 Accrington - Clitheroe: Holmeswood Coaches to Vision Bus
44 Preston - Lea: No change (Preston Bus)
45 Preston - Blackburn: Preston Bus to Vision Bus
76, 78 Blackpool/Great Eccleston-St Annes: Preston Bus to Archway Travel
110 Preston - Wigan: Stagecoach to Holmeswood Coaches
112 Preston (now Leyland) - Croston: Holmeswood Coaches to Vision Bus
114 Preston - Chorley: Preston Bus to Tyrers
337, 347 Chorley - Southport: Stagecoach to Vision Bus

That 110 is an interesting one. I wonder if they will change the route north of Leyland town centre to speed up services into Preston. I think it will struggle to survive under Holmeswood operation though, a lot of passengers use a Stagecoach Central Lancs Zone ticket to hop on and off buses at the moment. With the rise to £3 and the change of operator, it will become much more difficult to entice people to use it.

 

[class17]

As I recall, the old 110 route was Leyland (Fishwicks Garage, then Queens hotel) to Croston. Shared Ribble & Fishwick's I think.
I also remember it coming into Leyland from Lostock Hall, possibly from Preston (perhaps via Todd Lane). I can remember this as it picked up visitors (2-2.30pm) who had alighted from the train to visit Wymott/Garth prison waiting at the bus stop next to the old police station.
I can even remember a 110 starting in Lostock Hall (Tardy Gate) going through Leyland to Croston and Southport, leaving about 9.30am.

 

[158756]

Sorry, my original post had a couple of mistakes.

The 46 included in the 45 contract.

The 44 contract also includes the 48.

I would guess the 43 is probably also part of the same contract with the 44 and 48. The cost looks too high for just the 44 and 48.

I think the 117,118 and 119 currently operated by Tyrers are probably in either contract 114A or 115A, you can see the local route descriptions in Chorley in one of the alternative contracts not awarded. Not sure if Tyrers have lost them or retained them, or if they'll be split between the two contracts.

 

[Leedsbusman]

I would guess the 43 is probably also part of the same contract with the 44 and 48. The cost looks too high for just the 44 and 48.

I think the 117,118 and 119 currently operated by Tyrers are probably in either contract 114A or 115A, you can see the local route descriptions in Chorley in one of the alternative contracts not awarded. Not sure if Tyrers have lost them or retained them, or if they'll be split between the two contracts.

06/044 is the 43, 44 and 48
06/045 is the 45 and 46
07/112A is a revised 112 and new 110 replacing the Wigan bit of 111.
09/114A is a revised 114 and 118
09/115A is a revised 115 and 117
119 looks to be covered by parts of the above routes.

 

[158756]

06/044 is the 43, 44 and 48
06/045 is the 45 and 46
07/112A is a revised 112 and new 110 replacing the Wigan bit of 111.
09/114A is a revised 114 and 118
09/115A is a revised 115 and 117
119 looks to be covered by parts of the above routes.

There isn't currently a 115, but there used to be a 115 that was similar to the current 119, so it might just be renumbered.

 

[Mollman]

That 110 is an interesting one. I wonder if they will change the route north of Leyland town centre to speed up services into Preston. I think it will struggle to survive under Holmeswood operation though, a lot of passengers use a Stagecoach Central Lancs Zone ticket to hop on and off buses at the moment. With the rise to £3 and the change of operator, it will become much more difficult to entice people to use it.

It isn't being run commercially so doesn't need to 'survive' as such.

There isn't currently a 115, but there used to be a 115 that was similar to the current 119, so it might just be renumbered.

There should be more information soon as under the Enhanced Partnership the changes require public engagement before being registered.

 

[Tetchytyke]

I think it will struggle to survive under Holmeswood operation though

It's a tendered service. If it was commercially viable it wouldn't be a tendered service.

 

[AlastairFraser]

It isn't being run commercially so doesn't need to 'survive' as such.

It's a tendered service. If it was commercially viable it wouldn't be a tendered service.

I doubt the tender will even survive under Holmeswood operation, LCC will likely refuse to renew if it is too much of a money pit.

 

[Mollman]

I doubt the tender will even survive under Holmeswood operation, LCC will likely refuse to renew if it is too much of a money pit.

Can I ask why?
There will still be a service between Wigan, Leyland and Preston, all that changes apart from the operator will be the route between Preston and Leyland. Lancashire County Council's day and weekly tickets will be available which will also allow travel on other tendered routes.

 

[Leedsbusman]

I doubt the tender will even survive under Holmeswood operation, LCC will likely refuse to renew if it is too much of a money pit.

Why would you say that. Holmeswood have run the 112 for the last five years without drama. They have been operating similar services around Lancashire since at least 2009.

 

[AlastairFraser]

Can I ask why?
There will still be a service between Wigan, Leyland and Preston, all that changes apart from the operator will be the route between Preston and Leyland. Lancashire County Council's day and weekly tickets will be available which will also allow travel on other tendered routes.

The loss of fares that allow more through connectivity will significantly limit the appeal of the bus. The LCC tickets are more expensive than operator only tickets and they only work on the subsided sections, so much less useful.

Why would you say that. Holmeswood have run the 112 for the last five years without drama. They have been operating similar services around Lancashire since at least 2009.

I don't doubt their ability to supply reliable bus services at all, just ones that people will use (especially at £3!)

 

[class17]

There is a short article in Tuesday's Lancashire Evening Post covering the success of Vision Bus of winning some of these contracts.

 

[northern506]

More details on the change here

Service 110 Preston – Lostock Hall – Leyland – Eccleston – Standish – Wigan​

The county council will introduce this new service, creating new links through Walton Park and replacing the extension of Stagecoach's Service 111 journeys from Leyland to Wigan.

Maintaining the Preston, Leyland & Wigan direct bus service, this new service will operate between Preston and Wigan via Walton Park (The Cawsey), Lostock Hall, Farington Moss, Leyland, Eccleston, Wrightington Bar and Standish.

The service will still operate generally every hour during Monday to Saturday daytime.

Holmeswood Coaches Ltd will operate this service on behalf of Lancashire County Council and in partnership with Transport for Greater Manchester between Standish and Wigan.

Service 111 Preston – Penwortham – Lostock Hall – Leyland – Moss Side​

Stagecoach will continue to operate this service commercially between Preston and Leyland (Moss Side). The hourly extension Monday to Saturday daytime between Leyland and Wigan via Eccleston and Standish, supported by Lancashire County Council and Transport for Greater Manchester, will be withdrawn and replaced by new service 110.

Service 112 Preston – Bamber Bridge – Clayton Brook – Leyland – Midge Hall​

The county council will revise the route and timetable, amending the service to terminate at the eastern end of the new Centurion Village at Midge Hall and amending the route through Leyland Town Centre. The route will be amended between Walton Summit (Dawson Place) and Clayton Brook centre to operate via Four Oaks Road, A6 Preston Road and Clayton Brook Road, to provide a daytime service along this section of A6 Preston Road. Buses will run around Clayton Brook Road in a clockwise loop when running both to Preston and to Leyland.

As the new Centurion Village develops the service will be further adapted to serve more of this emerging community. The section through Wymott, Croston and Bretherton will now be served by new Service 115 – see below.

This service will continue to operate between Preston and Midge Hall via Frenchwood, Walton-le-Dale, Bamber Bridge, Walton Summit, Clayton Brook, Clayton Green and Leyland.

The service will still operate generally every hour during Monday to Saturday daytime and combine with Service 114 to operate every half hour between Clayton Brook and Leyland. Holmeswood Coaches Ltd will continue to operate this service on behalf of Lancashire County Council.

Service 114 Chorley – Clayton Brook – Leyland – Penwortham – Preston​

The county council will revise the route and timetable, extending the service through from Leyland to Preston via Farington Moss and Penwortham partially replacing Service 119.

To facilitate the extension to Preston, the route through Leyland will be adjusted between Clayton-le-Wood and Tesco to operate via A49 and Church Road, before continuing past the Gables and then as the current Service 119 route to Preston. Vice versa in the opposite direction. This will maintain the cross Leyland public transport links between wider areas of Leyland with Chorley.

In Clayton Green, Back Lane will no longer be served due to issues with parked cars especially around school times. The service will be re-routed via Sheep Hill Brow, Wood End Rd will still be served via a double run. New bus stops will be located on Sheep Hill Lane to continue to provide access to Cuerden Valley Park and Clayton-Le-Woods CofE Primary School.

This service will operate between Chorley and Preston via Chorley Hospital, Whittle-le-Woods, Clayton Brook, Clayton-le-Woods, Leyland, Farington Moss, Whitestake, Penwortham and Broadgate.

The service will operate generally every hour during Monday to Saturday daytime and combine with Service 112 to operate every half hour between Clayton Brook and Leyland. RS Tyrer Ltd will operate this service on behalf of Lancashire County Council.

Service 115 Chorley – Buckshaw Village – Leyland – Croston – Longton – Preston​

The county council will introduce this new service, partially replacing Services 12, 112 & 119 to create a new cross borough public transport link between Chorley, Leyland and Preston. Following long standing requests from local communities, new Service 115 will link Croston, Bretherton, South Ribble's Western Parishes to both Chorley and Preston.

This new expanded service will operate as current Service 119 route between Chorley and Leyland, then replacing the curtailed Service 112 through Wymott, Croston and Bretherton, continuing to Much Hoole, Walmer Bridge, Longton and finally replacing Service 12 through to Preston via New Longton. This will facilitate new direct transport links from all these communities to Preston, Leyland, Chorley Hospital and Chorley Town Centre.

This service will operate between Chorley and Preston via Chorley Hospital, Buckshaw Village, Leyland, Moss Side, Wymott, Croston, Bretherton, Much Hoole, Walmer Bridge, Longton, New Longton and Penwortham.

The service will operate generally every hour during Monday to Saturday daytime. Vision Bus will operate this service on behalf of Lancashire County Council.

Service 117 Chorley – Weld Bank – Chorley​

The county council will revise timetable, with adjustments to improve overall service reliability and timed around Service 115.

Vision Bus will operate this service on behalf of Lancashire County Council.

Service 118 Chorley – Lower Burgh – Chorley​

The county council will revise timetable, with adjustments to improve overall service reliability and timed with Service 114.

The service will continue to operate generally every hour during Monday to Saturday daytime and RS Tyrer Ltd will continue to operate this service on behalf of Lancashire County Council.

Service 119 Chorley – Buckshaw Village – Leyland – Penwortham – Preston​

The county council will withdraw this service and will be replaced by the introduction of new Service 115 and the extension to Service 114.

Service 12 Preston – New Longton – Longton​

Stagecoach will withdraw this service and will be replaced by the introduction of new Service 115.

 

[AlastairFraser]

More details on the change here

Interesting route for the 110 out of Preston. Sensible routing through Walton le Dale at least, heading past the Capitol Centre for shopping, plus the schools/colleges on the London Road.
The 111 takes ages to go through Penwortham too.

The only issue is that there is a considerable dog leg through Farington Moss, which won't help journey times.

The new 115 route is pretty innovative and creates some interesting new links too - the Buckshaw Village link may be quite useful for those in the Western Parishes to reach trains towards Manchester without trekking into Preston. This is the best thought out new link probably, although the length of the route may introduce some unreliability for passengers heading from Longton and the villages nearby into Preston (especially if the M6 is closed or badly affected by roadworks/an accident).

 

[Mollman]

Interesting route for the 110 out of Preston. Sensible routing through Walton le Dale at least, heading past the Capitol Centre for shopping, plus the schools/colleges on the London Road.
The 111 takes ages to go through Penwortham too.

The only issue is that there is a considerable dog leg through Farington Moss, which won't help journey times.

The new 115 route is pretty innovative and creates some interesting new links too - the Buckshaw Village link may be quite useful for those in the Western Parishes to reach trains towards Manchester without trekking into Preston. This is the best thought out new link probably, although the length of the route may introduce some unreliability for passengers heading from Longton and the villages nearby into Preston (especially if the M6 is closed or badly affected by roadworks/an accident).

There has been a significant growth in houses in Farington Moss but it currently only gets the hourly 119. It also avoids overlapping with the 111 all the way from Lostock Hall to Leyland.

 

[Leedsbusman]

There has been a significant growth in houses in Farington Moss but it currently only gets the hourly 119. It also avoids overlapping with the 111 all the way from Lostock Hall to Leyland.

It also appears to be faster Preston to Wigan than the 111.

 

[AlastairFraser]

There has been a significant growth in houses in Farington Moss but it currently only gets the hourly 119. It also avoids overlapping with the 111 all the way from Lostock Hall to Leyland.

Indeed, but then why not run straight from Farington Moss to Seven Stars? Leyland town centre isn't really much of a destination.

It also appears to be faster Preston to Wigan than the 111.

Indeed, which is useful, but it still won't get much usage because of the fare system I think.