Preston Bus

[em81]

I'd imagine Stagecoach could get buses from elsewhere fairly easily and employ many of Preston Bus's drivers (with a reduction in duplication they shouldn't need quite as many).

It's only 15 years since Stagecoach were forced to sell Preston Bus by the Competition Commission (as was).

They would have known they couldn't have a monopoly for Preston. The Preston Bus acquisition would have been away for them to get the best routes and vehicles and then to package off the rest of the operations for someone else to buy. It's different this time, as their current owner isn't a small business.

 

[robertclark125]

How are loading from Bamber bridge on the 23?

According to recent local media reports, Preston bus, at the last accounts, made a loss of £200,000. Whether that includes the LCC contracts that don't go near Preston, is unknown. A few posts back, I did say that extending the 23, to get more customers, was a way, they thought, of trying to turn round the finances.

But, it all depends on whether or not they get the extra customers. Moreover, what if Stagecoach does alter the 61 and 68, mentioned above? Could Stagecoach get passengers for less costs than Preston bus retaliation?

 

[overthewater]

Preston bus made a loss of £214'000 for the accounts upto February 2025, the year before the made a loss of £502'000. The next set of accounts is due in November for "Feb 2026" Over that period they cut staff wage and pension cost. Makes you wonder how they managed that. On the flip side, the Social security costs have increased.

 

[em81]

How are loading from Bamber bridge on the 23?

I've seen them arrive early at the bus station from Bamber Bridge. Hardly anyone on board, everyone gets off, then the driver goes on a break until 1 minute before the departure time to ASDA.

What's interesting is they've made a promo video for the 23, which the on screen displays show between the next stop announcements.

 

[AlastairFraser]

Don't forget Preston Bus do offer £4.20 Special Value Returns on the 23, unless you're using the section between the hospital and ASDA, where there's no competition from Stagecoach. I think they also do sub-£3 singles but only on the section between Bamber Bridge and the city centre.

If there's no competition then it's £3.50 single to the next stop.

Precisely - so sod you if you have to rely on Preston Bus, but they act if there's competition.
Reminds me of Arriva the Shires in Bucks, sadly missed (not).

There are £4.20 returns which is a little cheaper than the Stagecoach equivalent return (or Citi day rider) for local journeys. But as you mention, single fares are more expensive with PB.
The exception is Longridge where the Citi day rider is not valid; typically customers just pay 2 singles there as it's cheaper than the central Lancashire day rider which is £7. PB will be cheaper for those journeys assuming their £4.20 return extends that far.


I think this is a sign of desperation from PB. I can't see them lasting until the end of the year.

I don't expect Longridge to get the £4.20 returns, unless they're really serious about taking on Stagecoach (a terrible decision).
Yes I agree

 

[em81]

This does feel like deja Vu for around 17-18 years ago. I feel it will end the same way. Stagecoach could cover the remaining Preston Bus only markets (Larches estate, cottam, ASDA) , and perhaps it would be better with one unified operator. Hard to say.

I think the 48 is tendered, so in the event of Preston Bus withdrawing everything, you'd expect that to be retained by another operator. Maybe even increased in frequency at peak times if the ASDA section of the 23 is lost.

 

[LancasterRed]

I think the 48 is tendered, so in the event of Preston Bus withdrawing everything, you'd expect that to be retained by another operator. Maybe even increased in frequency at peak times if the ASDA section of the 23 is lost.

44/48 are tendered as one route.

Was going to say in relation to the above, I'd wager £1 that the 61 or 68 is diverted into Larches (or do a kind of loop). Adds a few minutes but soaks up a few more Preston passengers.

Saturation point will be reached very shortly and I can't imagine Preston Bus surviving.

Nailed on. The only concern is that incidentally the bus shelter on Blackpool Road is such a honey pot that they'd have to do a double loop to hit it. You'd imagine Stagecoach would want to hit the estates Preston Bus pulled out of too.

Preston Bus have an easy response in using Junction 2 of the M55 to run a commuter/day trip service that hits pinch points such as the university, Lane Ends and Ashton while comfortably beating the 61/68 but just won't.

 

[Andyh82]

Preston Bus have an easy response in using Junction 2 of the M55 to run a commuter/day trip service that hits pinch points such as the university, Lane Ends and Ashton while comfortably beating the 61/68 but just won't.

That’s probably because there is no market for it. If you want a quick journey to Blackpool most people will catch the train, of which there are numerous per hour, and of much better quality than they were historically

 

[pr1]

That’s probably because there is no market for it. If you want a quick journey to Blackpool most people will catch the train, of which there are numerous per hour, and of much better quality than they were historically

Until they finally get around to building Cottam Parkway (see threads  passim) the bus is best for many living in western Preston. I do have some doubts about running on the motorway itself though there are many estates in Cottam on and off Edith Rigby Way which could do with a decent Preston Bus service.

 

[peterblue]

That’s probably because there is no market for it. If you want a quick journey to Blackpool most people will catch the train, of which there are numerous per hour, and of much better quality than they were historically

The motorway isn't that much quicker than the main road in peak traffic. You could make the 61 a bit faster, I suppose, such as taking a more direct route out of Preston or into Blackpool. I don't think the market is there for a nonstop Preston to Blackpool bus as the train is very frequent.

 

[overthewater]

When did they get rid of the old X61 using the old B10M coaches?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

When did they get rid of the old X61 using the old B10M coaches?

Because as @Andyh82 said...

That’s probably because there is no market for it. If you want a quick journey to Blackpool most people will catch the train, of which there are numerous per hour, and of much better quality than they were historically

I know it's hard to believe but rail services are more reliable and more comfortable than in the past. It's done for many a former fast bus service.

 

[overthewater]

I did say "When" not Why. I remember it used to go all the way to Manchester aswell for period. Did anyone actually go to pleasure beach for day trip on the X61?

 

[em81]

I caught it once from Blackpool to Manchester. Stagecoach had it listed as a £1 Megabus route at the time. I recall the driver didn't have anyway of checking names or ticket numbers from Megabus emails! But this is going a bit off topic for Preston Bus.

 

[peterblue]

I did say "When" not Why. I remember it used to go all the way to Manchester aswell for period. Did anyone actually go to pleasure beach for day trip on the X61?

It would have gone about 2011 - 2012 I think. X61 Manchester to Blackpool / Manchester to Preston has existed in various routes and iterations, towards the end it only ran from Chorley.

 

[Statto]

I caught the old X61 a few times, it did go to Fleetwood then it cut to Cleveleys, the X61 was so busy vehicles often upgraded to deckers at Weekends during the summer months rather than the standard coaches, but improvements in the rail network & reliability hit the route that led to it being withdrawn.

Here's a rundown on the X61 history, just scroll down to X61

Greater Manchester A1-Z99

RAILWAYMEDIA-British Railway Pictures

www.railwaymedia.co.uk

 

[overthewater]

Thank you for that, and to get us back on topic, I doubt Preston bus would try and compete on that route then.

 

[Topmandog1]

Was going to say in relation to the above, I'd wager £1 that the 61 or 68 is diverted into Larches (or do a kind of loop). Adds a few minutes but soaks up a few more Preston passengers.

Saturation point will be reached very shortly and I can't imagine Preston Bus surviving.

68 is already far too long, we need a x68 never mind a 68 extention

 

[northern506]

It looks like Preston Bus have won contracts for new services around Blackburn and Darwen, I assume linked to the consultation here.

Details can be viewed here

 

[chris53]

68 is already far too long, we need a x68 never mind a 68 extention

I made the mistake of catching it from Blackpool to Preston thinking it would be a nice scenic journey and cheaper than the train. Well the cheaper part was right but it took an absolute age and was rammed for the entire journey

 

[em81]

I made the mistake of catching it from Blackpool to Preston thinking it would be a nice scenic journey and cheaper than the train. Well the cheaper part was right but it took an absolute age and was rammed for the entire journey

I haven't travelled on that since Blackpool Airport lost regular passenger flights. I remember it serving the airport, but not picking up or dropping off anyone there. Looking at the latest timetable there's still a bus stop there.

 

[Deerfold]

I haven't travelled on that since Blackpool Airport lost regular passenger flights. I remember it serving the airport, but not picking up or dropping off anyone there. Looking at the latest timetable there's still a bus stop there.

On the way towards Blackpool, it's a timing point.

 

[adam rogan]

It looks like Preston Bus have won contracts for new services around Blackburn and Darwen, I assume linked to the consultation here.

Details can be viewed here

Was gutted to see this. I'm not a fan of Rotala's approach in Lancashire recently with pricing and starting a bus war. I hope that the combined authority forces them to charge the national fare cap along with reasonably priced multi modal dayriders/weekly/monthly tickets.

I would have assumed that Vision would have won given their aggresive expansion. The link provided does not show who will operate the Rawtenstall to Bolton route but I guess that as the november/december service updates have not officially been released, it may be a few weeks before we see it fully fleshed out. I for one am eager to go on some of these routes. What's pitiful is that some of the new tenders that have been created are promising on paper but so ill used that it will be unfortunate if they get axed in the future.

 

[AlastairFraser]

Was gutted to see this. I'm not a fan of Rotala's approach in Lancashire recently with pricing and starting a bus war. I hope that the combined authority forces them to charge the national fare cap along with reasonably priced multi modal dayriders/weekly/monthly tickets.

I would have assumed that Vision would have won given their aggresive expansion. The link provided does not show who will operate the Rawtenstall to Bolton route but I guess that as the november/december service updates have not officially been released, it may be a few weeks before we see it fully fleshed out. I for one am eager to go on some of these routes. What's pitiful is that some of the new tenders that have been created are promising on paper but so ill used that it will be unfortunate if they get axed in the future.

I think the Lancs subsidised routes have to participate in the fare cap and Lancs promotional offers. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Preston Bus routes in Preston subsidised by Lancs (now LCCA) accept all the county offers.

 

[adam rogan]

I think the Lancs subsidised routes have to participate in the fare cap and Lancs promotional offers. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Preston Bus routes in Preston subsidised by Lancs (now LCCA) accept all the county offers.

Yes, that was my bad. However routes running within Blackburn and Darwen that don't enter Lancashire County Council don't accept the 6 pound day rider. For routes that start in Blackburn but end in Lancashire, your ticket works all the way like on the 45 or the 25.

Many Stagecoach drivers also are unaware of the fact that you can use that dayrider between Blackburn Hospital and Accrington.It was a nightmare trying to prove it to them online after the QR code wouldn't scan on their ticket machine.

Daily and weekly tickets

Unlimited travel discounts on services we help to fund, including group/family offers.

www.lancashire.gov.uk

 

[Leedsbusman]

I haven't travelled on that since Blackpool Airport lost regular passenger flights. I remember it serving the airport, but not picking up or dropping off anyone there. Looking at the latest timetable there's still a bus stop there.

The Airport stops are on the natural line of route and serve houses, shops and workplaces. The 68 has never deviated into the Airport grounds to the best of my knowledge.

 

[AlastairFraser]

Yes, that was my bad. However routes running within Blackburn and Darwen that don't enter Lancashire County Council don't accept the 6 pound day rider. For routes that start in Blackburn but end in Lancashire, your ticket works all the way like on the 45 or the 25.

Many Stagecoach drivers also are unaware of the fact that you can use that dayrider between Blackburn Hospital and Accrington.It was a nightmare trying to prove it to them online after the QR code wouldn't scan on their ticket machine.

Daily and weekly tickets

Unlimited travel discounts on services we help to fund, including group/family offers.

www.lancashire.gov.uk

Ah I would have thought the 59 extension was commercial, I'm not surprised that the drivers were confused about it.

 

[NWSpotting]

Was gutted to see this. I'm not a fan of Rotala's approach in Lancashire recently with pricing and starting a bus war. I hope that the combined authority forces them to charge the national fare cap along with reasonably priced multi modal dayriders/weekly/monthly tickets.

I would have assumed that Vision would have won given their aggresive expansion. The link provided does not show who will operate the Rawtenstall to Bolton route but I guess that as the november/december service updates have not officially been released, it may be a few weeks before we see it fully fleshed out. I for one am eager to go on some of these routes. What's pitiful is that some of the new tenders that have been created are promising on paper but so ill used that it will be unfortunate if they get axed in the future.

If it's like the LCC funded routes in Preston itself, they'll be under the caps. If you look at the website for the £1 cap, for example, it's only Preston Bus commercial routes that aren't included.

It's pretty stupid Preston Bus won't join the scheme. Surely customers will always chose the cheaper options in a bus war? If they want to do a bus war, join the scheme, and if not, then you need to avoid competing with cheaper routes, no?

 

[stevieinselby]

It's pretty stupid Preston Bus won't join the scheme. Surely customers will always chose the cheaper options in a bus war?

People with ENCTS passes won't care which bus is cheaper. People travelling regularly may buy a season ticket and then they are locked in. People who travel infrequently may not know which buses are cheaper. People may decide that they would rather get on the first bus that comes along rather than wait 10 minutes to save 50p.

 

[em81]

The Airport stops are on the natural line of route and serve houses, shops and workplaces. The 68 has never deviated into the Airport grounds to the best of my knowledge.

Perhaps the strange is it's still referred to as the airport stop, when it's not really considered to be an operational airport for the general public. Just checking on Google Maps - the stop is actually outside Lidl, rather than the airport building.