Stagecoach is extending its 111 service into the North West of Preston from the end of May.
In a move which will see it compete with existing Preston Bus services, the previously Leyland-Preston service will now loop up into Fulwood and Ingol.
The extension appears to be a fireback from the bus operator after Preston Bus extended the 23 service down into Bamber Bridge.
Read more: Parents blast ‘unjustified’ Preston Bus school fare increase
The 111 from 31 May will extend the service at both ends to serve the new Centurion Village housing development beyond Moss Side and within Preston extend to Tanterton via the University of Lancashire, Plungington Road, Cadley Causeway and Ingol.
Other changes also include running additional early morning and later evening journeys on weekdays on the 125 service which goes from Royal Preston Hospital to Bolton via Bamber Bridge.
Stagecoach’s changes come a week after Preston Bus announced it was pulling out of the county council backed £1 evening, Sunday and Bank Holidays fare cap – saying it was not sustainable to continue to operate it. This follows a decision by the Rotala-owned group to withdraw from the government-backed £3 single fare bus cap before Christmas. Stagecoach continues to operate both capped fares.
Rural bus service changes also being made
Lancashire County Council is also making changes to two directly subsidised services, with the 46 – which operates between Preston and Longridge via Woodplumpton, Broughton and Goosnargh – going via the University of Lancashire and Brook Street instead of Garstang Road.
The county council say this “follows customer requests to restore the direct link to the University. On Brook Street, only the bus stops adjacent to Blackpool Road will be served.
“There are no changes to the overall timetable and Vision Bus will continue to operate the service on behalf of Lancashire County Council.”
The 112 between Preston and Midge Hall, via Bamber Bridge, Clayton Brook and Leyland, will go via the new Centurion Village housing development serving Titan Way and Steer Street instead of Reiver Way between Comet Road and Roadtrain Avenue. Minor timing adjustments at Midle Hall are put in the accommodate the diverted route.
All route changes above begin from Sunday 31 May.
And a 125R seasonal route is being introduced to connect Chorley, Adlington and Rivington in a circular route.
The county council said: “Utilising Bus Grant funding from HM Government, will reintroduce this seasonal service linking Chorley, Adlington and Rivington. The route in Adlington will be revised to serve Adlington Railway Station, where train connections can be made, in addition to Chorley Interchange.
The service will operate every hour daytime Sundays and Bank Holidays from 3 May 2026 until 1 November 2026.
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