Blackburn Bus Co launched

Transdev has launched The Blackburn Bus Company with a fleet of new 11.7m Optare Versas featuring six-litre Cummins iSBe Euro6 engines into service in Blackburn and Accrington. The vehicles were presented at a weekend preview event before they entered service on the circular 6 and 7 routes, serving Blackburn, Rishton, Great Harwood, Clayton-le-Moors, Accrington, Oswaldtwistle and Intack. They are equipped with Wi-Fi, USB power points at every seat, next-stop announcements and stylish designer interiors with high back seating, wood panel flooring and aircraft style spotlights along the gangway. They feature ‘countdown’ destination displays, which show the remaining time before the bus begins its next journey.

Blackburn General Manager, Shaun Walmsley, said, ‘We’re delighted with the initial reaction to these amazing new buses, as we launch our new name, The Blackburn Bus Company. It reflects our long and proud history of operating services from and to Blackburn since 1929, but it’s also very much about looking to the future. Following on from the opening of new bus stations in Blackburn and Accrington, these new buses will ensure we are supporting the area’s regeneration and providing a real and attractive alternative to the car.’