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Preston Bus is planning further timetable changes to six city bus routes as it says it continues to come to terms with people’s changing travel habits post-Covid pandemic.
It includes extended some existing services, scrapping one route entirely and cutting back timetables of others – and introducing a new bus route.
The bus firm – owned by Rotala – drew criticism for its cutting back of evening services on four city routes which came into force this week.
Read more: Preston Bus route 6 evening cuts reversed as Lancashire County Council steps in
Preston Bus blamed falling passenger numbers and rising running costs – especially fuel – for the decisions it was taking.
The routes affected by these new changes – the 6,8,16,19,20,23,31,35 and 100 – are being consulted on until Sunday 7 July. Anyone wanting to have their say can email customer.care@rotala.co.uk with Bus Consultation in the subject or write to Bus Consultation, Preston Bus, 221 Deepdale Road, Preston, PR1 6NY.
Any changes listed below would come into force from Monday 2 September.
Route 100
Scrapped completely
Route 6
If the landowner agrees, Preston Bus wants to extend the current route so it goes beyond Red Scar and up to the James Hall Distribution Centre at Bluebell Way.
This would be every 15 minutes during daytime Monday (except between weekday afternoon peak of 2.45pm-5.30pm when it would be every 20 minutes) to Saturday and every 30 minutes during Sundays. A new route map has been provided.
Route 8
On Saturdays the first journey of the day would start from Moor Nook Shops, not Preston bus Station – meaning the first journey from Preston to Moor Nook would be 7.35am instead of 7.12am.
Route 16
A new route brought in to partially replace the withdrawn 100 service and run between the Bus Station and Farringdon Park via New Hall Lane.
It will run every 10-20 minutes during Monday to Saturday daytimes and then hourly in the evenings and every 30 minutes during Sunday daytimes.
Read more: Corporation Street bus gate fines now being issued
Route 19/20
The route is being extended to go beyond Preston Bus Station to Larches via Fishergate, Railway Station, Portway park and ride, Mariners Way. Preston Bus say this partially replaces the withdrawn 100 service.
Running every 20 minutes during Monday to Friday daytimes. Preston Bus say this means a higher-frequency service between the Docks and Royal Preston Hospital taking in the Railway Station and Portway Park and Ride. It also links Lea with the Railway Station and Docks.
The new 20 service means the number of buses operating via Larches reduces from four buses an hour to three, but Preston Bus argue the total number of buses to the Lea/Larches area along Blackpool Road increases.
On Saturdays the services will operate every 30 minutes and on evenings and Sundays the 19 runs between Larches and the hospital.
Route 23
Minor timetable changes, as well as on Saturdays the 5.30am from Bus Station to Asda is scrapped as is the 5.54am from Fulwood Asda to the Bus Station.
Route 31
Going to every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday daytimes and Preston Bus say following requests from local resident groups and councillors they are working with Lancashire County Council to secure parking restrictions in Lea and Savick to return the service to its pre-May 2023 route.
A new 6.36am service from Lea will run on Saturdays getting into Preston for 7am.
The Sunday daytime service is due to be scrapped ‘due to low demand’ but Preston Bus say they are hopeful the county council may step in with funding to save this service.
Route 35
Weekdays goes to up to every 10 minutes on the Tanterton service.
On Saturday late afternoons the frequency drops to every 15 minutes, rather than every 12 minutes.
Read more: State of Preston’s streets likely to remain top priority for residents
What do Preston Bus say?
On the proposals currently consulted on, a spokesperson said: “Since the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for bus services has changed. In order to continue to provide the best possible network of services, we have reviewed current usage and responded to stakeholder feedback. These changes are about enhancing the network and providing new links – for example by extending service 6 into the Bluebell Way Employment area or increasing the frequency of services to Tanterton.
“Subject to the outcome of consultation, if we decide to proceed with plans to change the timetables, we will look to make the changes from 2nd September 2024. We would look to make the route changes to service 31 as soon as the new parking restrictions can be introduced. Any changes would be supported with customer information to ensure everyone is made aware.”
What do you think about the proposed bus route changes? Let us know your comments below
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