Bus journeys between Preston to Ormskirk and Blackpool get extra services

Bus passengers on two Preston services will now have shorter waiting times due to new services being introduced.

They will also be able to travel later into the evening as a result of the changes.

The boost to timetables has been possible thanks to BSIP plus funding from HM Government in support of Lancashire’s £34.1m Bus Service Improvement Plan.

Preston routes will include Preston to Ormskirk and Preston to Blackpool.

On Sunday 28 January, a regular evening service was introduced from Monday to Saturday on the route from Preston to Ormskirk via Longton and Tarleton.

The Service 2A departs around every hour from Preston beginning at 6.20pm until 10.30pm, with departures from Ormskirk starting at 7.32pm, with the final bus leaving at 10.27pm.

These new journeys are being coordinated with Service 2 between Preston and Tarleton.

People using the Service 61 from Preston to Blackpool via Kirkham now have a shorter wait at the bus stop.

Journeys have increased from every hour to every 30 minutes during the off-peak daytime from Monday to Saturday, with people also able to travel later into the evening thanks to the timetable being extended with last departures from Preston to Blackpool at 10pm, Preston to Wrea Green at 11:30pm and from Blackpool to Preston at 11:15pm.

County Councillor Scott Smith, Lancashire County Council lead member for highways and active travel, said: “Thanks to the funding we’ve received from government for our Bus Service Improvement Plan, we’re making some big improvements to services in Lancashire.

“One of our main aims is to encourage more people to use the bus by providing extra journeys at times that people find convenient.

“Later services are often helpful to people who use the bus to get to and from work, as well as being convenient for anyone going out for the evening or visiting friends and family.

“I’m also really pleased that we are providing better links within the Chorley area so that more people have easy access to bus services, and there are more direct links to the hospital to help people get to their appointments.

“We’ll be working closely with operators to build passenger numbers with the aim of making these services sustainable over the long term. I’d encourage as many residents as possible to try them out.”

Roads Minister Guy Opperman added: “Local people deserve a modern, reliable, and affordable public transport system. I’m delighted to have worked alongside the local council and local Lancashire MPs to give Lancashire County Council more than £34million to boost its bus services.

“This is a fantastic result for passengers across Lancashire, from Blackburn and Lancaster to Preston and Blackpool, who will enjoy more frequent and later buses so they can get around more easily and with greater peace of mind.”

Subscribe: Keep in touch directly with the latest headlines from Blog Preston, join our WhatsApp channel and subscribe for our twice-a-week email newsletter. Both free and direct to your phone and inbox.