Preston Bus

[CN12 AWU]

Hello

Couldn't find another thread for this

Is it true Preston Bus are due to gain more new or newer vehicles to replace older buses? Heard they was due more E200MMCs can anybody confirm?

 

[Dfatcontroller]

Hello

Couldn't find another thread for this

Is it true Preston Bus are due to gain more new or newer vehicles to replace older buses? Heard they was due more E200MMCs can anybody confirm?

ADL Enviro 200MMCs 20655-20661 to replace Mellor Stratas which are to return to lessor.

 

[CN12 AWU]

ADL Enviro 200MMCs 20655-20661 to replace Mellor Stratas which are to return to lessor.

Are these going be brand new? Heard there was some to replace the WF Streetlites and Solos at Preston aswell unless there staying put?

 

[Stevoj3026]

20655-661 will be brand new a mixture of 8.8M and 9.7M (I believe it is 5 x 8.9M and 2 x 9.7M)

Registrations have appeared on Bus Lists on The Web

20655 - YX75 LFA 8.9M
20656 - YX75 LFB 8.9M
20657 - YX75 LFD 8.9M
20658 - YX75 LFE 8.9M
20659 - YX75 LFF 8.9M
20660 - YX75 LFG 9.7M
20661 - YX75 LFH 9.7M

 

[CN12 AWU]

20655-661 will be brand new a mixture of 8.8M and 9.7M (I believe it is 5 x 8.9M and 2 x 9.7M)

Registrations have appeared on Bus Lists on The Web

20655 - YX75 LFA 8.9M
20656 - YX75 LFB 8.9M
20657 - YX75 LFD 8.9M
20658 - YX75 LFE 8.9M
20659 - YX75 LFF 8.9M
20660 - YX75 LFG 9.7M
20661 - YX75 LFH 9.7M

Hello

Andy Idea when these are due to enter service?

 

[CN12 AWU]

20655-661 will be brand new a mixture of 8.8M and 9.7M (I believe it is 5 x 8.9M and 2 x 9.7M)

Registrations have appeared on Bus Lists on The Web

20655 - YX75 LFA 8.9M
20656 - YX75 LFB 8.9M
20657 - YX75 LFD 8.9M
20658 - YX75 LFE 8.9M
20659 - YX75 LFF 8.9M
20660 - YX75 LFG 9.7M
20661 - YX75 LFH 9.7M

According to bustimes these are in service also seen photos of a ADL E200 Demo bus in Preston station today which I guess is on test with them

 

[Stevoj3026]

The Long E200MMC is on loan whilst 20655-61 are delivered/enter service and whilst they sort the fleet out with the removal of all the Mellors except 21200/1/2

 

[CN12 AWU]

The Long E200MMC is on loan whilst 20655-61 are delivered/enter service and whilst they sort the fleet out with the removal of all the Mellors except 21200/1/2

Ah so some Mellors will be staying then thought there was enough E200's coming to replace them

Noticed the demo E200MMC doesn't track via bustimes unless that's the mysterious 11111 that keeps showing up

Good to see Rotala investing in Preston hopefully be more buses where they have come from

 

[Mollman]

Ah so some Mellors will be staying then thought there was enough E200's coming to replace them

Noticed the demo E200MMC doesn't track via bustimes unless that's the mysterious 11111 that keeps showing up

Good to see Rotala investing in Preston hopefully be more buses where they have come from

11111 was a 16 plate white Optare Solo SR when I saw it the other day. Don't know if it is a loan or permanent addition.

 

[CN12 AWU]

11111 was a 16 plate white Optare Solo SR when I saw it the other day. Don't know if it is a loan or permanent addition.

YJ16 DKX 20746 I believe but heard it's been tracking as a few buses but not itself same with the with E200 Demo it's been random tracking

 

[Stevoj3026]

YJ16 DKX 20746 I believe but heard it's been tracking as a few buses but not itself same with the with E200 Demo it's been random tracking

E200MMC Demo was tracking as 11111 then 20648 however it was spotted on Trade Plates today so looks to have been collected for return to ADL

 

[CN12 AWU]

E200MMC Demo was tracking as 11111 then 20648 however it was spotted on Trade Plates today so looks to have been collected for return to ADL

Is 20746 still there? The baby solo

I guess that's 11111 as both 20648 and 11111 tracked today

Presuming 20648/49 were genuine tracks today

Also a B9 Gemini from Birmingham was tracking on 311's all day

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Sep 2025 ==

40625 double tracking today on 43's in Preston aswell as 247 in Alcester not sure what but it actually is

 

[Stevoj3026]

Is 20746 still there? The baby solo

I guess that's 11111 as both 20648 and 11111 tracked today

Presuming 20648/49 were genuine tracks today

Also a B9 Gemini from Birmingham was tracking on 311's all day

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Sep 2025 ==

40625 double tracking today on 43's in Preston aswell as 247 in Alcester not sure what but it actually is

I believe 11111 is the baby Solo 20746.

20648/9 will be genuine tracks.

I heard the vehicle tracking as 40625 is actually newbie 20655

 

[CN12 AWU]

20655-661 will be brand new a mixture of 8.8M and 9.7M (I believe it is 5 x 8.9M and 2 x 9.7M)

Registrations have appeared on Bus Lists on The Web

20655 - YX75 LFA 8.9M
20656 - YX75 LFB 8.9M
20657 - YX75 LFD 8.9M
20658 - YX75 LFE 8.9M
20659 - YX75 LFF 8.9M
20660 - YX75 LFG 9.7M
20661 - YX75 LFH 9.7M

Just thinking shouldn't 20660/20661 be in the 306** series with them being bigger ones?

Also 11111 tracking again guess the white Solo?

20660 is only new E200MMC not tracking so far

Still several sprinters out and about even know E200's have replaced them so guess the sprinters may now be staying

 

[Stevoj3026]

Just thinking shouldn't 20660/20661 be in the 306** series with them being bigger ones?

Also 11111 tracking again guess the white Solo?

20660 is only new E200MMC not tracking so far

Still several sprinters out and about even know E200's have replaced them so guess the sprinters may now be staying

20660/61 are still in 20*** series as are similar length 20639/40/44/5 as they're still not that big really. Should Preston Bus acquire any 11.5/8M variants then I would expect these to be in the 30*** series

 

[CN12 AWU]

20660/61 are still in 20*** series as are similar length 20639/40/44/5 as they're still not that big really. Should Preston Bus acquire any 11.5/8M variants then I would expect these to be in the 30*** series

Ah fair enough

Is that white solo tracking as 11111 instead of its own number just on loan?

 

[Stevoj3026]

Ah fair enough

Is that white solo tracking as 11111 instead of its own number just on loan?

I believe so, yes

 

[Tim33160]

Solo 20746 has been running at Altrincham for Diamond Bee Network - it came from Belle Vue coaches with the 280 route due to the low height canal bridge at Dunham. https://www.flickr.com/search/?text=Diamond+20746
It has been replaced at Altrincham by loan Merc Sprinter City 45 21253 BF67 WGW from Mellors https://www.flickr.com/photos/97976164@N08/53996273396 but now in all white

 

[CN12 AWU]

Solo 20746 has been running at Altrincham for Diamond Bee Network - it came from Belle Vue coaches with the 280 route due to the low height canal bridge at Dunham. https://www.flickr.com/search/?text=Diamond+20746
It has been replaced at Altrincham by loan Merc Sprinter City 45 21253 BF67 WGW from Mellors https://www.flickr.com/photos/97976164@N08/53996273396 but now in all white

20746 been tracking as 11111 in Preston for a while now

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Sep 2025 ==

Has the 319 temporary or permanently transfered to Eccles Depot bee network uniformed drivers been doing 319 now for several weeks

 

[G760XRE]

Currently on site at First Potteries in Stoke is Preston Bus 20645. I imagine this is for repaint, as we've painted several other Preston vehicles out of base white.

20645 YY74URU

Preston Bus E200MMC. Seen at First Potteries depot on 25.10.25. Presumably here for repaint.

www.flickr.com

 

[northern506]

It looks like that from March, Vision Bus are taking over the Pendle/Ribble Valley services Preston Bus currently operate. This represents another decrease in PVR (I believe it will be a decrease of 5) for Preston Bus.

It seems to include the 65, 66, 67 and 69 - https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/media/967807/january-2025-to-december-2025.pdf.

 

[philthetube]

I have heard that Preston bus are to drop the £3 fare cap claiming that the subsidies provided are not adequate, Sorry cannot quote where I picked this up as was just trawling through things on the net.

Does anyone know anything.

Sorry, just checked Preston bus website and I am incorrect.

 

[northern506]

I have heard that Preston bus are to drop the £3 fare cap claiming that the subsidies provided are not adequate, Sorry cannot quote where I picked this up as was just trawling through things on the net.

Does anyone know anything.

Sorry, just checked Preston bus website and I am incorrect.

You are correct about them withdrawing from the £3 cap, they’ve introduced a £3.50 flat fare. I think it’s way too expensive considering the length of the routes, and Stagecoach charge £2.20 for similar journeys.

Preston Bus – Fare Revisions from 1st January 2026 | Preston Bus

www.prestonbus.co.uk

 

[WibbleWobble]

You are correct about them withdrawing from the £3 cap, they’ve introduced a £3.50 flat fare. I think it’s way too expensive considering the length of the routes, and Stagecoach charge £2.20 for similar journeys.

Preston Bus – Fare Revisions from 1st January 2026 | Preston Bus

www.prestonbus.co.uk

However, as a partial offset, there is a return cap of £4.20 on the 8, 16, 19/19A, 23 and 31.

 

[pr1]

Using this thread as a general update thread. The big news from a general update is the 23 (Asda-RPH-Plungington-Uni) is to be extended to Bamber Bridge in direct competition with the Stagecoach 125.

"Our focus is on building a bus service that Preston can be proud of that residents can feel confident in using. This package of changes is another positive step forward for local bus services in Preston and South Ribble"

Preston Bus extends 23 service to Bamber Bridge placing it in competition with 125 as Royal Preston link – Blog Preston

<p>Preston Bus’s 23 service will sit in competition with Bamber Bridge’s recognisable 125 service. </p>

www.blogpreston.co.uk

--

I'm a touch suspicious about this. I'm old enough to remember the "bus wars" and while this might not be the exact same, there's a whiff of chasing customers for the sake of it rather than providing the best service. We shall see.

 

[Simonm1978]

Using this thread as a general update thread. The big news from a general update is the 23 (Asda-RPH-Plungington-Uni) is to be extended to Bamber Bridge in direct competition with the Stagecoach 125.

Preston Bus extends 23 service to Bamber Bridge placing it in competition with 125 as Royal Preston link – Blog Preston

<p>Preston Bus’s 23 service will sit in competition with Bamber Bridge’s recognisable 125 service. </p>

www.blogpreston.co.uk

--

I'm a touch suspicious about this. I'm old enough to remember the "bus wars" and while this might not be the exact same, there's a whiff of chasing customers for the sake of it rather than providing the best service. We shall see.

Yes it does seem like an unusual move. The Stagecoach 125 runs into Preston through Bamber Bridge every 10 minutes, then alternate journeys extend to the Royal Preston Hospital grounds passing Preston College on the way.

Preston Bus route 23 goes past the Hospital (but not onto the site) and past the Uni on its way into town every 10 minutes. Alternate journeys will now extend out of Preston up to Bamber Bridge, duplicating the 125 on this section.

However, Preston Bus is no longer part of the £3 fare cap and charge £3.50 for a single ticket. Stagecoach fares are capped at £3, with some shorter journeys costing less. Their Central Lancs day and weekly tickets are also cheaper than Preston Bus network tickets and cover a bigger area. So other than providing a reasonably priced £4.20 return ticket I can’t see how Preston Bus expect to compete with Stagecoach either on price, frequency or vehicle quality. It will be interesting to see how long this extension lasts, whether they will extend any more services into South Ribble. And whether Stagecoach decide to retaliate.

 

[DiddyKongRacin]

Yes it does seem like an unusual move. The Stagecoach 125 runs into Preston through Bamber Bridge every 10 minutes, then alternate journeys extend to the Royal Preston Hospital grounds passing Preston College on the way.

Preston Bus route 23 goes past the Hospital (but not onto the site) and past the Uni on its way into town every 10 minutes. Alternate journeys will now extend out of Preston up to Bamber Bridge, duplicating the 125 on this section.

However, Preston Bus is no longer part of the £3 fare cap and charge £3.50 for a single ticket. Stagecoach fares are capped at £3, with some shorter journeys costing less. Their Central Lancs day and weekly tickets are also cheaper than Preston Bus network tickets and cover a bigger area. So other than providing a reasonably priced £4.20 return ticket I can’t see how Preston Bus expect to compete with Stagecoach either on price, frequency or vehicle quality. It will be interesting to see how long this extension lasts, whether they will extend any more services into South Ribble. And whether Stagecoach decide to retaliate.

I've also reviewed the timetables and it seems that it can't really compete even on time?

7:09am 125 from Hob Inn in Bamber Bridge timetabled for RPH at 7:47
7.10am 23 from Hob Inn in Bamber Bridge timetabled for RPH at 8:07am

I suppose I'll update on 23 usage from Bamber Bridge though I'm struggling to see much use for this short of linking Plungington/the University to South Ribble marginally better?

 

[chris53]

I've also reviewed the timetables and it seems that it can't really compete even on time?

7:09am 125 from Hob Inn in Bamber Bridge timetabled for RPH at 7:47
7.10am 23 from Hob Inn in Bamber Bridge timetabled for RPH at 8:07am

I suppose I'll update on 23 usage from Bamber Bridge though I'm struggling to see much use for this short of linking Plungington/the University to South Ribble marginally better?

Nearly an hour to get from the Hob Inn to RPH? That is ridiculous!

 

[DiddyKongRacin]

Nearly an hour to get from the Hob Inn to RPH? That is ridiculous!

Timetabled yes it is; it's about 50 minutes on the 125 from experience too but can exceed that very quickly. This is mostly due to the dwell time at the bus station but the 23 times seem to be extremely pessimistic about their travel time to Preston.

 

[pr1]

In rather deflating news, Preston Bus will withdraw from the £1 bus fare scheme from the end of the month.

Source: https://www.prestonbus.co.uk/news/1-fare-cap-scheme/?

While we recognise the positive impact the scheme has had, the level of reimbursement provided in 2025 has not carried through into 2026 . As operating costs continue to rise, this has made it increasingly difficult for us to sustainably remain within the scheme.

This change will apply only to our commercial services.