Some good news about travel services in the area.
AdvertisementFrom this Monday, the number 80 bus linking Blackpool to Preston, is due to run for the first time since last December. A new operator has decided to take over the route, for a while anyway.
We reported last month that the local Bus Service 80 running between Blackpool and Preston had been terminated after Classic Bus North West informed Lancashire County Council that it would cease to run its service.
The county council, who subsidised the route said Classic Bus North West had terminated the service without the required 56 days notice to the Traffic Commissioner and broken their contract with them.
Local bus company Archway Travel announced it will resurrect the service for at least three months. Archway has been in talks with Lancashire County Council to take over the service which should start from this Monday.
Readers of Blog Preston voiced their concerns about rural areas on the edge of Preston being left isolated without the Number 80 route.
Lancashire County Council will not be funding the new service and a review will be undertaken in April to see if the route turns out to be profitable.
Boss Michael Archer has said: “We are not a charity – we will give it three months and see what happens.
“We are running smaller buses with two members of staff so if it doesn’t work then it probably never will.”
We have yet to see the new timetable. It is hoped the buses will be hourly at peak times. There will be no service on Sundays.
Did the loss of the 80 bus effect you? What do you make of this news? Let us know in the comments below