Previous News 2007 - 9
December 31st 2009
Dennis Dart 720 is still in service operating the number 6 service to Bleak House, a route for which it is ideally suited. It may be it is needed owing to the pending requirement of an extra mainline bus to cover the forthcoming Skipton service. There is also a X43 bus down, 2759, due to an accident incurring front end damage.
December 24th 2009
Burnley & Pendle have announced the commencement of an hourly service to Skipton starting on Monday, 18th January 2010. The service will be an extension of route 29 from Barnoldswick although certain journeys will operate via Earby & Craven College, Mon. - Fri. peak times .
December 18th 2009
The movement of the Darts has changed. 779 & 848 have gone to Keighley whilst 720 is believed to be in storage. The three ex. Mainline 1066-8 B10's are not operating on any particular route but wherever needed, although they seem to be seen most often on Stoops Estate - Todmorden, Harle Syke- Rosegrove, Burnley - Bacup. X63 and X43.
Ex. B&P Volvo Citibuses 107/8 can often be seen in Burnley operating to the Sports Centre off Ormerod Road. Operated by the coach company Walton Swift they look well preserved in their blue & white livery.
December 2nd 2009
It is believed that of the three Darts to be withdrawn,
848 will go to Blackburn, 779 is sold (to whom we know not) and 720 will go to
Keighley.
Volvo B6's 676/9 are to go into storage. The three B10BLE's 1066-8 are in
service. Yesterday one of them was on the Mainline and today 1068 was seen
returning from a school duty whilst 1066 (I think) was operating the Bacup
service. Ex. Northern Blue double deckers were operating the new Stoops Estate -
Pike Hill - Todmorden and the Clifton Farm - Harle Syke - Nelson - Marsden Park
services.
November 23rd 2009
Volvo B10BLE's 1066-8 have been transferred from store at Intack to Queensgate. It is surmised that these vehicles may replace the three Dennis Darts, 720/779/848 at the end of November when local services are re-organised.
November 7th 2009
Rossendale Transport have announced changes to their hospital service to Burnley General Hospital from 2nd November. The 483 service from Bury will terminate at Burnley Bus Station and a new service 83 will operate between the Bus Station and the Hospital.
A number of former Northern Blue buses are in store at Intack at the present time. The remaining buses have been absorbed into the B&P fleet and a new fleet list can be seen on this site. Full details of stored buses will hopefully be obtained soon.
October 19th 2009
Changes to services 3,74,92,101,102,106,109,111,112,121 & 122 have been announced for commencement on 29th November. Full details are on the Burnley & Pendle Travel website. The changes are quite complicated and require some study and a little more explanation will be made on this site a.s.a.p. Briefly the changes are being made to cut costs and improve across town services to the General Hospital and to Nelson.
September 7th 2009
Northern Blue has now been absorbed by Burnley & Pendle. All Northern Blue services have been re-registered with B&P from September 1st. The Saturday operation of the 74 (Marsden Park), X63 (Burnley - Accrington) and 3 (Ightenhill Circular) has passed to Tyrer Tours. The 92 Todmorden service will cease to operate on Saturdays.
August 6th 2009
Two B10BLE's 1065 & 1091 thought to have been withdrawn are still being used in service at Queensgate.
July 16th 2009
Latest information is that 11 stored B10BLE's - 1052,59,61,63,65-68,90,91 & 93 are at the Blackburn depots and are for sale. Apparently though one or two have been in use in Harrogate providing additional transport for the Great Yorkshire Show. Follow this link for photo of 1052.
http://daniel-
1064 has been transferred to Harrogate along with 1092.
1044 & 1047 are part of the My Bus fleet at Keighley.
June 29th 2009
Northern Blue DAFs 1201/2 have been withdrawn and are stored at Blackburn pending a decision on their future.
B & P B10BLE 1092 has been transferred to Harrogate. Other vehicles still in service but earmarked for transfer/disposal are 1061,65,67,91 & 93. 1052,59,63,64,66,68 & 90 are believed to have already gone but whereabouts is as yet unknown.
May 23rd 2009
Four refurbished B10BLEs are now in service, 1042, 1071, 1073 & 1074.
Northern Blue's Plumbe Street depot will close at the end of this month and operations will be transferred to Queensgate from 1st June.
April 22nd 2009
The 11 Volvo B10BLE's to be refurbished are now confirmed as 1042/3/6/53/8/62/9/71 - 4. Included in this refurbishment are new seats for both driver & passengers, new style B7 headlights. Transfers known so far are 1044/7-9/51 (to Keighley), 1054/7 (to Harrogate). 1039/1129 (to My Bus Keighley).1015 is believed to be going to York.
A new addition to Northern Blue's fleet is ex Blackburn Volvo B10BLE 202, T127 OAH, transferred from Harrogate. This vehicle is of a very basic specification originally purchased by Ambassador Travel (Anglia) for Norwich Airport Park & Ride. No doubt this vehicle will soon join sister 201 as part of the Urban Cool Schools fleet.
Strong rumour, (still unconfirmed yet), that Transdev is buying Rossendale Transport. Indications are that public opinion is strongly against this but decision has yet to be made by full council.
April 13th 2009 (Updated 17th April)
The following changes to Northern Blue routes in Burnley have been announced by Lancashire County Council.
3A
Burnley - Towneley Hall (Leaflet 73)
From 10 April 2009 Transdev Northern Blue in partnership with Burnley Borough Council will introduce this new route on Sundays and Bank Holidays. Buses also serve Towneley Hall grounds and Riverside car park with departures from Burnley Bus Station at 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500 & 1600. Buses return from Towneley Hall at 1235, 1335, 1435, 1535 & 1635.
3
Burnley - Ightenhill Circular - Burnley - Towneley Hall (Leaflet 73)
From 14 April 2009 Transdev Northern
Blue in partnership with Burnley Borough Council will revise the route and
timetable to serve Towneley Hall omitting Plumbe Street and Branch Road. Service 8 has been revised to provide replacement journeys
for Plumbe Street and Branch Road.
8
Burnley - Weir - Bacup (Leaflet 78)
From 14 April 2009 Transdev Northern Blue will revise the route and timetable to serve Burnley Plumbe Street and Branch Road on all journeys in both directions, replacing Service 3.
Northern Blue Optare Solo 1253 with Towneley hall branding. Photo - Roy Cropper.
Ex. B&P Volvo B10BLE's 1039 & 1129 have now received My Bus livery. Photo of 1039 taken by Roy Cropper at Queensgate below -
Roy also took the following photo of Northern Blue's Daf 1202 -
April 3rd 2009
B&P Mainline 1042 is reported to be being refurbished at Wilkinson's bodyshop at Whalley.
Correction to last news. 1867 was in fact registered FJ09 KNV. It was the last to be delivered and was given an 09 reg. The following photo was taken by Roy Cropper. Also a photo of Dart 779.
Transdev/Northern Blue are to take over the Towneley Shuttle from Good Friday for the Spring & Summer months. For further details follow this link -
www.burnleycitizen.co.uk/news/burnley/4240011.Return_of_the_Towneley_shuttle/
Of the five B10BLE's transferred to Keighley & District 1044 & 1047 are in Keighley livery, 1051 is in paint and 1048/9 are in service still in red/cream.
Other ex. Mainline vehicles reported to be at North West Bus & Coach are 1129 (in Metro schools base livery), 1053/62 & 72.
March 29th 2009
Minds have been changed. The Blackburn Versas are now to go to Yorkshire Coastliner for a new route in the York area.
Dart 779 has now received 'Starship' livery and is back in service.
The first refurbished Volvo B10BLE, ex. Lancashire United 1073, has been photographed by Roy Cropper at Queensgate and looks almost ready for service.
New mainline Volvo B7RLE 1867 has the registration FJ58 KNV and not LTO as reported in Buses magazine. Unfortunately registrations do not follow fleet numbers but have in fact been allocated following body numbers!
It has been reported that Volvo B10BLE's 1044/7/8/9/51 have been transferred to Keighley to replace older B10BLE's which will be converted to school buses.
February 26th 2009
Darts 779 & 848 are being exchanged for two of the Spot-On Versas. The Versas will acquire the Starship livery, one is already in the paintshop at Blackburn.
Northern Blue Scania 142 has been scrapped due to damage caused after being stolen from Plumbe St. depot.
Volvo B10BLE's 1129 & 1039 are due to be refurbished as part of the new Mainline fleet. They will receive new seating and modifications to the front bodywork, mainly lighting.
February 12th 2009
Today was the official launch from Burnley Football Club at Turf Moor of the new mainline fleet. Present were six of the 10 Volvo/Wright Eclipse Urban buses delivered so far. They will enter service immediately followed by a further nine during the next two weeks.
Transdev have just become sponsors of Burnley Clarets.
February 1st 2009
The first two new Mainline buses have been delivered, 1853/4. One of these will be at Burnley Bus Station during this week for driver familiarisation. Photo opportunity!!
December 23rd 2008
The following information has been supplied by Transdev Burnley & Pendle regarding the proposed mainline relaunch. Thanks to Rachel Kemp, Marketing & Communications Manager, Transdev Blazefield.
The Mainline is due to be
re-launched in the New Year with a target date of 22nd February 2009.
The re-launch will include brand new livery for the 19 vehicles currently on
order from Wrights plus 11 refurbished vehicles, and revisions to services.
We have sought feedback
from customers and staff on current service provision, but response has been
surprisingly low – leading to the conclusion that perhaps there are no
improvements to be made! We will however be continuing a full review of
services.
We are well on the way to deciding on the new livery and interior. This will retain the Mainline red colour, but in a more contemporary design. There will be strong communication of routes and prices on the bus exteriors and interiors. We will also be following up a great suggestion by driver David Middleton to name all the buses after local heroes of Burnley and Pendle.
The following pictures
are a simulation of the proposed new livery.
December 1st 2008 (updated Dec. 6th)
The new Nelson Bus/Rail Interchange will be officially opened at 11.15 a.m. on Saturday, 6th December by the Mayor of Pendle.. A vintage bus will covey guests from the old bus station to the new development. There will be an opportunity to view the new building on Saturday between 1000 & 1500 hrs. Further details can be found on Transport for Lancashire's website - http://www.transportforlancashire.com/downloads/leaflets/Nelson_Interchange.pdf The new interchange will actually open for traffic on Sunday.
Further to the information previously supplied below the Green Line service 94A will be renumbered 95 and extended to Burnley replacing service 5 from Lower Manor which will be withdrawn. The Burnley - Healey Wood circular will be renumbered 105. All the details are in the December Bus services changes leaflet - http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/environment/bus/service_changes/Docs/BSC_December.pdf
New Mainline buses are to be delivered in early January. About 5 of the best of the current fleet will be refurbished to match the new buses in style and livery.
October 31st 2008
A new Group Fuel management system
was implemented on 13 August 2008 and some re-numbering has been carried out to
avoid duplication in the Transdev fleets.
Dennis Dart 720 has now received a version of the Starship livery.
Preservation News: - Ex. BCN PS2/14 no. 43, acquired with the purchase of Northern Blue has been sold to Peter Heaps. Peter already owns PS2/14 45. PD2/1 63 and Tiger Cub 73.
Former Burnley & Pendle Leyland Leopard 34 has been acquired from Henley's of South Wales for preservation by Chris Hall who lives in Scotland. He recently brought the bus down to Blackpool for re-panelling and painting and called at Queensgate on August 13th on his way home. This photo was taken by Alan Catlow in the depot yard.
34 requires a 'via' destination blind to complete restoration. Anyone who can help please contact the society.
23rd April 2008
Ex. Harrogate & District Volvo B10B/Alexander Strider N509 HWY is now with Transdev Northern Blue in their 'Urban Cool' student transport livery and converted to B59F as was sister bus 504.
16th March 2008
The new 94/94A/94S services have been launched at the new Boundary Mill at Colne. Four new Optare Solo buses in green livery have been branded the Pendle Green Line.
On 10th March Tyrer Bus withdrew its 100 service between Burnley and Colne. It seems an arrangement has been made with Transdev Lancashire to exchange some vehicles. So far it appears that Daf Ikarus Polaris YJ51 EKO/P and Volvo B7/Wright PL05 UBR/S have gone to Lancashire United and Northern Blue's Optare Solos MX03 YCK/L have gone to Tyrer.
B&P Darts 701 & 719 are now in Spot on livery in Blackburn.
5th March 2008
A major shake up of bus routes in Pendle has been proposed. Changes will be made to Tyrer services 65, 68, 14/15, 60, & 98. A revised 65 and a new 68, 94/94A and Sunday 94S services will replace them from March 17th. March will also see changes to the Pendle Witch Hopper seasonal service affecting the Pendle Wayfarer P1 which will be axed from March 30th. (report Evening Telegraph)
2nd March 2008
The long awaited Corgi model of the BCN Leyland PD3 no.232 is now available as no doubt many readers will know.
Keep watching this page for more information on the Starships. Also visit this page for latest photos.
Volvo B6's known to be transferred to Northern Blue are: - 646,7,8,50,9,76.
13th February 2008
Registration nos. for the new Versas are as follows:- 251-262, YJ57 XVN-P, R-Z. 263 -269, YJ57XWA-G.
The official launch for trade & press was at the Lancashire Technical Media Centre in Bancroft Road, Burnley on Thursday 7th February. The following photos were taken of 254 on Friday at the customer launch .
Some vehicles were actually in service on Saturday because of the need to take some of the Volvo B6's out of service to remove their ticket machines for the new buses.
29th January 2008
The 19 new Optare versa buses, fleet nos. 251 - 269, will commence operation on Sunday, 10th February. They will be available for the public's inspection on the 8/9th February in Burnley & Nelson town centres. The brand name is "Starship"!!!!!
The changes to services have been announced in the latest Customer News. From Sunday 10th February routes 119 and 263 are being withdrawn and replaced in part with new services 106 and X63.
Route 106 will operate to Bleak House via Moorland Road, Glen View Road and Rossendale Road returning to Burnley via Summit and Manchester Road.
The X63 will run as previously directly between Burnley & Accrington via Accrington Road. Huncoat Village will receive a new service 3 operated by Accrington Transport. Rossendale Road between Harold Avenue and Accrington road will no longer be served.
Routes 101/102 will be diverted in the evenings and Sundays to serve Brownhill Avenue once again, although passengers for Brownhill Avenue will seemingly have to travel via Worsthorne.
Route 110 will be discontinued except for college services between Barnoldswick & Nelson and Colne College. Route 109 will operate every 30 minutes via Kibble Bank. Marsden Road will no longer be served.
Visit the website www.burnleyandpendle.co.uk for more information.
30th December 2007
Five new Optare Versa buses have now been delivered to
Queensgate. Registration numbers are YJ57 XVN/O/P/R/S. The new livery is
basically red & yellow, reminiscent of the old Whizzard minibuses. For a
preview of the new vehicles follow this link - http://greggsbuses.
The branding of the new buses still be kept secret until the launch of new services in February.
The low floor Volvo B6LE's will no doubt be going to McKindless and the step entrance B6R's will be cascaded to Northern Blue with some of the Darts. One or more Darts may be kept as spare vehicles until the new Versas have settled in.
2nd November 2007 (updated 12th)
The three Ex.Keighley Olympians 345/8 & 369 which were lowbridge bodied have been exchanged with Lancashire United for three ex Blackburn Borough transport highbridge Leyland Olympians, 13-15, H546/9/50 GKX.
Former Greenline coach 301 has been loaned to Northern Blue for their X4 Blackpool service and in exchange Volvo Olympian/Alexander 116, N116 UHP, is operating school services. 302 is operating school services for B&P.
Volvo B10M 426 has been seen operating on Northern Blue/Accrington transport services.
Withdrawn Harrogate Volvo B10B's 508/510 are now on loan to the Northern Blue fleet joining ex. Keighley Volvo B6's 221/2, L642/3 OWY. Volvo B10B 503 now sports Lancashire United vinyls following a brief spell at Blackburn covering for a temporary vehicle shortage.505 bears B&P vinyls, 508 Harrogate and 510 carries Northern Blue fleetnames.
10th September 2007
B&P vehicles have been spotted operating Northern Blue services recently, notably Volvo B10B's 503/5 which had been placed in store.
School services have returned to operation by Queensgate. The two ex. Greenline Volvo coaches, 301/2, KE51 WUO/WUP, have been seen on school duties. Three ex. Keighley Olympians are also at Queensgate for school contracts formerly operated by Blackburn Transport. They are 345/8and 369 (A605/602/603 NYG).
The only remaining B&P Transport vehicle, Volvo B10M 426, is up for sale.
21st August 2007
Correction to previous news. B10M's 1090 and 1092 were painted at Lancashire United's Blackburn depot and 1091/3 at Busworks. Thanks to Trevor Leach for this information. Always grateful to anyone who contacts the society.
5th August 2007
Northern Blue Transport has been taken over from today by Transdev. It is believed that the company will be operated separately as a tendered services unit for the time being. Already some of the fleet are in store at Queensgate, probably due to the school holidays.
Three of the former LU B10BLE's, 1091-3, have now been repainted into Mainline livery by Busworks, Blackpool. The fourth,1090, is currently in their paintshop.
25th June 2007
The order for 19 Optare Versa midi-buses has been confirmed and delivery is expected to be in December.
Follow this link http://www.optare.com/News/jun07/blazefield.htm (courtesy of Blazefield Newsgroups) to see a photo.
Dennis Dart SLF 848 is now in service.
One of Lancashire United's 'Spot On' B7RE's no.1838 was on display at the Lancastrian Transport Trust's Totally Transport rally in Blackpool yesterday (24th June).
17th June 2007
Volvo B6 202 is to be replaced by Dennis Dart SLF 848, V548 JBH, new to Sovereign in 1999. It is currently being repainted by the Lancastrian Transport Trust's Busworks at Blackpool.
The new Volvo B7's entering service with Lancashire United/Blackburn Transport mean that four B10BLE's transferred to Queensgate are 1090 - 93, PO51 MUE,MUP,MUU,MUV. 1090/92 are currently being repainted into Mainline livery. 1091/3 are in service in blue/cream, at the moment replacing B7's 1104/5 which are currently being repainted at North West Bus & Coach into the Spot-on livery for Lancashire United/Blackburn Transport.
Volvo B10B Striders 503/5 will be withdrawn later on when all four B10BLE's are repainted. The older B10's 1039 & 1129 are staying.
An order for Optare B38F+wheelchair midibuses has been placed. Evaluation was made in one day at Queensgate, everyone very impressed.
7th May 2007
Another Volvo B6, 202, P337 JND, is to be withdrawn and replaced by another Dennis MPD from Keighley, probably 781, X581 MBH.
B10BLE repaints are now being Mainline route branded. Latest are 1053,58,59 & 61. Lettering on the rear is now cream instead of white.
Ex. Greenline coach 302, KE51 WUP is being used at Queensgate as an advanced training vehicle. 301, KE51 WUO is being used at Blackburn as a schools duplicate.
Alexander Dennis demonstrator SN56 AYB was evaluated during February. Other demo buses are expected for evaluation soon when available. (photo)
Volvo B7R 1104, BU02 BKV is expected to be transferred to Blackburn when the new B7RE's enter service.
4th February 2007
The 25 new Volvo B7 single deck vehicles going to Lancashire United will mean that several Volvo B10BLE's could be transferred to B&P to replace B10B's 503/5 and B10BLE's 1039 & 1129.
A number of midi-buses are to be evaluated with a view to placing an order later this year for vehicles to replace the current Volvo B6 fleet. B&P's fleet will then become fully low floor & accessible.
13th January 2007
Dennis MPD Dart 779 entered service on 11th December 2006 and Volvo B6 204 went to McKindless of Wishaw a day or so earlier.
Volvo/President 2714 is being repaired at Queensgate and will go to Harrogate on completion.
The sale of Blackburn Transport to Blazefield (as a subsidiary of Transdev) is expected to be completed by 21st Jan.
