TRANSDEV
BURNLEY & PENDLE
During July and August 2006 the new Transdev Burnley & Pendle logo started to appear on the fleet. The old vinyls were removed firstly and the paintwork rectified where necessary when a vehicle was in dock and subsequently when that vehicle was again available the new vinyls were affixed. So for quite a while vehicles are operating with the old branding, no branding and new Transdev branding.
The Witch Way fleet were the first vehicles to be treated and the new logo was affixed to the front of all vehicles replacing the name of a witch. Using the same colour of lettering the result looks quite good.
The same cannot be said for the main fleet. The lettering is white where affixed over red but over cream the green & blue looks somewhat of a clash with red. No doubt we will all get used to it but with the blue livery of Keighley and Lancashire United it doesn't look at all bad.
New 644,(L644 OWY), ex Keighley 223 with modified body and electronic destination display recently repainted looking very smart in Burnley Bus Station.
Volvo B10B 505,(N505 HWY), showing the white on red logo.
In June 2007 25 new Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse buses entered service with Lancashire United and Blackburn Transport on route branded 'Spot On' services, Blackburn Transport's route 1 Darwen to Accrington and Lancashire United's Hyndburn Circular routes 7 & 8. B&P's B7's 1104/5 were transferred to Blackburn to join the Spot On fleet. Four Lancashire United vehicles, B10BLE's 1090-93, were transferred to B&P.
Volvo B7RE 1838 pictured here in Blackpool at the Lancastrian transport Trust rally. The Transdev logo is barely visible below the front windscreen.
Also in June an order was placed with Optare for 19 Versa 11 metre B38F + wheelchair midibuses to replace the step entrance Volvo B6R/Alexander Dash midis cascaded from Keighley & District and the Volvo B6LE's inherited from Stagecoach. Delivery expected to be in December.
On 5th August 2007 Transdev took over the fleet and operations of Northern Blue. No immediate changes are to be made apart from the updating of the fleet with vehicles from other Transdev fleets notably B&P, Blackburn, Keighley & Harrogate.
On February 7th, 2008 the new Optare Versa buses were launched to the press as 'Starships'. The new buses have more buggy room or standing room, very spacious and plenty of light from two translucent roof panels. Each rear panel inside the saloon carries a star constellation and each external rear end carries a 'startrek' type message.
Above - the public launch in St James's St Burnley Friday,8/02/2008 Above - Burnley Bus Station Wed. 27/02/2008
On February 12th, 2009, six new Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse Urban DP44F were officially launched at Turf Moor Football ground in Burnley. Ten are entering service immediately with a further nine to be delivered in the next 14 days. In addition eleven vehicles from the current fleet of B10BLE's will be refurbished with new bodywork and interiors to appear similar to the new fleet. As with the Starship fleet each external rear panel carries a message which appears to be primarily aimed at young people.
Volvo B7RLE 1856 FJ58 LSU Interior of 1856
Rear of 1856.
It was announced that a number of the existing Mainline B10BLE fleet would be completely refurbished in the style of the new B7RLE's. Initially two buses, 1073/4 were transferred from Lancashire United for conversion followed by 1042,1046 & 1071. Several vehicles were transferred to Harrogate, Keighley & York. Two of the oldest B10BLE's, 1039 & 1129 were converted to school buses for the My Bus fleet at Keighley.
1074 pictured at Trawden on route 27 to Clitheroe. Photo by Roy Cropper.
1042 pictured at Padiham Slade Lane on route 21 to Trawden. Photo by Roy Cropper.
Two of the Dennis Darts, 720 & 779, were repainted into the Starship livery. Quite soon the red & cream livery will disappear although the dark red in the new Mainline livery is similar to the original Burnley Corporation colour.
779 pictured in Queensgate depot yard. Photo by Roy Cropper.
On 1st June 2009 the Northern Blue depot on Plumbe Street, Burnley was closed and the fleet was transferred to Queensgate although still operating as a separate operation.
On 1st September 2009 all Northern Blue services were transferred and re-registered to Burnley & Pendle. Some Saturday services were passed to Tyrer Tours Ltd.
In September 2009 the Northern Blue brand was dropped and their vehicles were absorbed into the Burnley and Pendle fleet. Northern Blue drivers will, however work to their own diagram.
Ex. Northern Blue Olympian no. 196
received a version of the "Starship" livery but without branding.
Photo: - Roy Cropper.
A number of Optare Solo minibuses joined the fleet in 2010/11, two of which received "Starship" livery.
Optare Solo1255 in
Barnoldswick. Photo: - Roy Cropper.