The first of 13 brand-new buses for one of Lancashire’s busiest bus services, packed with the latest customer-friendly features, including several never seen before on any North West route, were revealed at a launch event on Friday 17.
Blackburn’s historic cathedral provided a stunning backdrop for the launch as the first new buses for the busy route 1, representing a total investment of £2.5 million by North of England bus operator Transdev, were unveiled to shoppers and stakeholders.
Key features on the new Alexander Dennis Enviro200s are:
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- Custom-built seats – each with mobile phone holders, USB and wireless charging;
- Double glazed windows throughout;
- Skylight roof to let in lots of natural light, making journeys more comfortable;
- Digital destination displays with departure countdown timers
- Contactless card, smartphone or smartwatch payments in an instant using up-to-the-minute technology to save time at bus stops;
- Live tracking of every bus on the free Transdev Go app, linked to sensors on each bus;
- Onboard colour information screens and audible next stop announcements, making travel easier for everyone;
- Superfast, free and reliable 4G Wi-Fi;
- Low emission engines with a Euro VI rating to deliver cleaner air;
- A dedicated recycling bin on each bus, to do even more for the environment.
The new buses started running for Transdev’s The Blackburn Bus Company on its number 1 service between Blackburn, Darwen and Bolton on Sunday 19 January, with journeys up to every seven to eight minutes on weekdays between Blackburn and Darwen, and every 15 minutes to and from Bolton.
With nearly 7,000 customer journeys made on the route every single day, the buses promise to make a big difference to many thousands of people travelling for work or pleasure.
