Burnley Bus Company#CityZap

File:Top of Gillians Lane, Barnoldswick - geograph.org.uk - 630391.jpg bodied Bristol VR in Barnoldswick in April 1984]]

In August 1924, Burnley Corporation Transport operated their first bus service between Rawtenstall and Burnley Summit.{{Cite magazine |date=30 January 1942 |title=10 years' all-bus operation at Rawtenstall |url=https://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/30th-january-1942/24/10-years-all-bus-operatia-at-rawtenstall |work=The Commercial Motor |page=24 |access-date=25 April 2022}} The Burnley, Colne & Nelson Joint Transport Committee was established in April 1933, merging the three municipal tramway and bus operations of the respective towns.{{Cite magazine |date=7 April 1933 |title=Municipal purchases and proposals |url=https://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/7th-april-1933/45/municipal-purchases-and-proposals |work=The Commercial Motor |page=45 |access-date=25 April 2022}}{{Cite magazine |date=11 February 1938 |title=Transport unification brings good results |url=https://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/11th-february-1938/86/transport-unification-brings-good-results |website=The Commercial Motor |page=86 |access-date=25 April 2022}} The tramway network was progressively abandoned, with the last line closing in May 1935.

Following local government reorganisation in April 1974, the boroughs of Colne and Nelson were amalgamated to form the present-day Borough of Pendle. Subsequently, the transport operation became known as the Burnley & Pendle Joint Transport Committee.

In 1986, as part of the deregulation of bus services and to comply with the Transport Act 1985, the company's assets were transferred to a new legal entity named the Burnley & Pendle Transport Company. Deregulation opened Burnley & Pendle's routes to competition from other operators, with Blackburn Transport, Tyrer Tours and Victoria Coaches establishing competing services. To stave off the competition, five AEC Routemaster double-deck vehicles were purchased, with each named after a character from the television series EastEnders.{{Cite magazine |date=15 April 2022 |title=More Bromley than Burnley |url=https://www.keybuses.com/article/more-bromley-burnley |magazine=Buses |issue=806 |page=60 |location=Stamford |publisher=Key Publishing |access-date=25 April 2022 |url-access=subscription}} Burnley & Pendle also successfully tendered a number of Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive-contracted bus services, allowing for operations to extend to Blackburn, Bury, Manchester, Preston, Rawtenstall, Rochdale and Skipton.

In April 1996, Pendle Borough Council sold their share of the company to Stagecoach Holdings. Burnley Council was unhappy with the decision, and stated that they would never consider selling their share.{{cite news |date=29 August 1996 |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/6198431.deal-struck-stagecoach/ |title=Deal is struck with Stagecoach |newspaper=Lancashire Telegraph |location=Blackburn |access-date=2 November 2024}} In response, Stagecoach proposed up a multi-million pound investment plan for the area, but Burnley Council could not meet their share unless it cut other council-supported services. Burnley Council eventually reversed their decision in March 1997 and sold out to Stagecoach, a deal valued at £2.85 million ({{Inflation|UK|2,850,000|1997|fmt=eq|r=-3|cursign=£}}).{{Cite news |date=9 April 1997 |title=Workers' dismay as Stagecoach axes jobs |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/6183210.workers-dismay-stagecoach-axes-jobs/ |access-date=25 April 2022 |website=Lancashire Telegraph |location=Blackburn |language=en}} Initially branded Stagecoach Burnley & Pendle, the company was encompassed within Stagecoach Ribble in May 2000.

In April 2001, Stagecoach sold their operations in Blackburn, Bolton and Clitheroe to the Blazefield Group, which rebranded them as Burnley & Pendle and Lancashire United. The sale was valued at £13 million.{{cite news |author= |date=4 May 2001 |title=No change as depots sold |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/6031677.no-change-depots-sold/ |work=Lancashire Telegraph |location=Blackburn |access-date=2 November 2024}}{{Cite press release |date=26 April 2001 |title=Stagecoach sells some North-West operations for £13 million |url=http://www.stagecoachgroup.com/sgc/mediainfo/releases/2001/2001-04-26/ |access-date=25 April 2022 |publisher=Stagecoach Group |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050318042609/http://www.stagecoachgroup.com/sgc/mediainfo/releases/2001/2001-04-26/ |archive-date=18 March 2005}} Following the sale, Blazefield purchased a total of 15 Plaxton President bodied Volvo B7TL double-deck and 25 Wright Renown bodied Volvo B10BLE single-deck vehicles for Burnley & Pendle as part of a fleet renewal programme; prior to the sale of Burnley & Pendle, many of the newer vehicles Stagecoach purchased for the fleet were transferred to other subsidiaries, with Burnley & Pendle receiving older vehicles as replacements.{{cite magazine |last=Barrow |first=David |url=https://archive.org/details/cbw-issue485/page/26/mode/2up |date=2 August 2001 |issue=485 |pages=26-27 |title=Trail-blazing in the North West |magazine=Coach & Bus Week |location=Peterborough |publisher=Emap |access-date=2 November 2024}}

In January 2006, French-based transport group Transdev acquired the Blazefield Group, along with 305 vehicles.{{Cite news |date=7 January 2006 |title=Transdev acquires Blazefield Group |url=http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=448&categoryid=0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029195107if_/http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=448&categoryid=0 |archive-date=29 October 2013 |access-date=21 April 2022 |work=Bus & Coach Professional}}{{Cite news |last=Briggs |first=Ian |date=9 January 2006 |title=A new stop for Blazefield |url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/analysis/a-new-stop-for-blazefield-1-2600335 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415092036/http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/analysis/a-new-stop-for-blazefield-1-2600335 |archive-date=15 April 2016 |access-date=21 April 2022 |work=The Yorkshire Post |location=Leeds}} Locally, the company was rebranded under the name Transdev in Burnley & Pendle.

In August 2006, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council announced that after 125 years of municipal ownership, Blackburn Transport had been sold to Transdev Blazefield. The sale was finalised in January 2007.{{Cite news |date=21 August 2006 |title=Chester for sale and Blackburn for Blazefield |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812175010/http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=939&categoryid=0 |url=http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=939&categoryid=0 |archive-date=12 August 2014 |access-date=25 April 2022 |work=Bus & Coach Professional}}{{Cite news |last=Bartlett |first=David |date=16 August 2006 |title=Burnley buys up Blackburn buses |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/881010.burnley-buys-blackburn-buses/ |access-date=25 April 2022 |work=Lancashire Telegraph |location=Blackburn |language=en}} This was followed in August 2007 by both Accrington Transport and Northern Blue being acquired, with both operators' staff and combined 65 vehicles transferring to Transdev.{{Cite news |last=Watkinson |first=David |date=6 August 2007 |title=Bus firms in takeover |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/1598862.bus-firms-takeover/ |access-date=25 April 2022 |work=Lancashire Telegraph |location=Blackburn |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=9 August 2007 |title=Blazefield buys again in Lancashire |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813175657/http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=1509&categoryid=0 |url=http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=1509&categoryid=0 |archive-date=13 August 2012 |access-date=25 April 2022 |work=Bus & Coach Professional}} After initially being maintained as a separate brand, in September 2009, Transdev Northern Blue was integrated into the Transdev Burnley & Pendle business.

In July 2017, the company was again rebranded, now operating as The Burnley Bus Company.{{Cite news |last=Quaynor |first=Aban |date=23 July 2017 |title=New modern buses are just the ticket for customers |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/15428781.new-modern-buses-just-ticket-burnley-customers/ |access-date=25 April 2022 |work=Lancashire Telegraph |location=Blackburn |language=en}}{{Cite magazine |date=17 August 2017 |title=£4.5m Versas revitalise Burnley Mainline |url=https://www.keybuses.com/article/ps45m-versas-revitalise-burnley-mainline |work=Buses |issue=750 |page=7 |location=Stamford |publisher=Key Publishing |access-date=2 November 2024}}{{Cite web |last=Harrison |first=Matt |date=2 August 2017 |title=Mainline bursts into Burnley with a Big Bus Bash |url=https://transportdesigned.com/mainline-bursts-burnley-big-bus-bash/,%20https://transportdesigned.com/mainline-bursts-burnley-big-bus-bash/ |access-date=25 April 2022 |website=Transport Designed |language=en-GB}}

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| image2 = Transdev Burnley & Pendle bus Volvo B7RLE Wright Eclipse II in Barnoldswick, Lancashire 3 May 2009.jpg

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| image3 = Transdev Burnley ^ Pendle 2772 BF63HCK - Flickr - Alan Sansbury.jpg

| image4 = No. 264, YJ17FVK, Burnley & Pendle. Steeton.jpg

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In July 2017, a rebrand of the company commenced. Starting with the introduction of a new fleet of Optare Versa single-deck vehicles for Mainline, one of the vehicles was branded in the new two-tone orange livery. This was followed shortly after by a refurbished fleet of Wright Renown bodied Volvo B10BLE single-deck vehicles being repainted into the new livery.

Local bus services operating in and around the town of Burnley are encompassed within The Burnley Bus Company brand, with buses serving Stoops (1), Higherford, Nelson & Colne (2), Nelson (2A), Pike Hill (3), Worsthorne (4), Harle Syke and Rosegrove (5) and Accrington (9).

The Mainline brand encompasses six services, which operate between Accrington (M1), Clitheroe (M2) and Burnley via Padiham, as well as between Burnley and Trawden (M3), Keighley (M4), Barnoldswick (M5) and Skipton (M6) via Nelson and Colne. In July 2017, the services were rebranded and upgraded to a fleet of Optare Versa single-deck vehicles, branded in a two-tone orange and burgundy livery. Features include free WiFi, USB and wireless charging and audio-visual next stop announcements.

{{For|more information about this service|The Witch Way}}

The Witch Way is a flagship service, which operates between Burnley and Manchester via Rawtenstall and M66. The service is operated by a fleet of high-specification Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 MMC double-deck vehicles, which were introduced into service in December 2020,{{Cite news |date=9 December 2020 |title=Transdev Witchway route gets 'Sky Class' Enviro400 fleet |url=https://www.route-one.net/bus-routes/transdev-witchway-route-gets-sky-class-enviro400-fleet/ |access-date=25 April 2022 |work=routeone |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news |last=Kelly |first=Robert |date=2 February 2021 |title=Transdev's £3.8 million investment on Sky Class buses 'will boost coronavirus recovery' |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/19049879.transdevs-3-8million-investment-sky-class-buses-will-boost-coronavirus-recovery/ |access-date=25 April 2022 |work=Lancashire Telegraph |location=Blackburn |language=en}} replacing the former allocation of Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B9TL double-deck vehicles introduced in October 2013.{{Cite web |date=3 November 2013 |title=New buses in £3m. Witch Way investment |url=https://www.burnleyexpress.net/news/new-buses-in-ps3m-witch-way-investment-2674458 |access-date=25 April 2022 |website=Burnley Express |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=27 October 2015 |title=East Lancs brand's 10th anniversary |url=https://www.route-one.net/news/east_lancs_brands_10th_anniversary/ |access-date=25 April 2022 |website=routeone |language=en-GB |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425111601/https://www.route-one.net/news/east_lancs_brands_10th_anniversary/ |archive-date=25 April 2022}} Vehicles are branded in a two-tone orange and black livery, with features including free WiFi, USB and wireless charging, tables and audio-visual next stop announcements voiced by Coronation Street actress Jennie McAlpine.{{Cite news |last=Harrigan |first=Joel |date=11 December 2020 |title=Corrie star Jennie McAlpine lends 'warm Northern voice' to new Witchway buses |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/18936693.corrie-star-jennie-mcalpine-lends-warm-northern-voice-new-witchway-buses/ |access-date=18 December 2020 |work=Lancashire Telegraph |location=Blackburn |language=en}}

In November 2017, a limited-stop express service running directly between Leeds and Manchester via the M62 was introduced, branded as CityZap. Similar to the other CityZap service between York and Leeds operated by sister company Yorkshire Coastliner, the service aimed to attract motorists and provide a competitive alternative to the railway.{{cite news |date=19 November 2017 |title=Transdev goes for second Zap and ups route 36 |work=Buses |pages=13 |issue=752}}{{cite web |last=Dougall |first=Emily |date=14 November 2017 |title=Transdev launches new Leeds-Manchester Cityzap express |url=https://cbwmagazine.com/transdev-launches-new-leeds-manchester-cityzap-express/ |access-date=21 April 2022 |website=Coach & Bus Week}}

The service was notable for its use of sat-nav equipment to choose the quickest route and avoid congestions.{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Sara |date=2018-02-08 |title=Competition across the Pennines: can coach keep up? |url=https://www.transportfocus.org.uk/blog/competition-across-pennines-can-coach-keep/ |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=Transport Focus |language=en-US}}

The service operated with a fleet of four Wright Eclipse Urban 2 bodied Volvo B7RLE vehicles, branded for the route in a silver/red livery, and featured free WiFi and USB charging capabilities.

The service was withdrawn in July 2018, owing to low passenger numbers.{{cite web |last=Deakin |first=Tim |date=6 August 2018 |title=Cityzap ends Leeds to Manchester service |url=https://www.route-one.net/uncategorized/cityzap_ends_leeds_to_manchester_service/ |access-date=21 April 2022 |website=Routeone}}{{cite news |date=21 June 2018 |title=Transdev adds Jets and reduces Zap |work=Buses |pages=18 |issue=760}}

{{unreferenced|section|date=April 2023}}

As of April 2022, the company operates from a single depot in Burnley, which it shares with Rosso.

As of March 2024, the fleet consists of 79 buses. The fleet consists of diesel-powered single and double-deck buses manufactured by Wrightbus, Plaxton, Alexander Dennis and Optare, as well as minibuses manufactured by Mellor.

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book|last=Catlow|first=A|title=Burnley, Colne and Nelson|date=November 1985|publisher=Curwen Institute|isbn=978-0907941194}}

• {{Commons-inline}}
• {{official website}}

{{Transport in Greater Manchester}}

{{Bus companies in North West England}}

{{Transdev Blazefield}}

{{Borough of Pendle culture}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Burnley and Pendle}}

Category:Bus operators in Lancashire

Category:Transport companies established in 1933

Category:Transdev

Category:Transport in Burnley

Category:Transport in the Borough of Pendle

Category:1933 establishments in England