The Burnley Bus Company launched its new Pendle Wizz service between Skipton, Barnoldswick, Colne and Burnley on 1 June 2020 with an hourly all-day service using the M65 motorway and buses in a bold new livery.
The new service will replace the old Witchway route between Skipton and Burnley, with a connection at Burnley Bus Station with frequent Witchway buses for customers travelling through to Manchester. On the eve of the service’s first day, The Burnley Bus Company held a virtual Pendle Wizz launch event on social media using the hashtag #LockdownLaunch, and featuring images of buses in the bold new Pendle Wizz livery at key landmarks along the route.
The Burnley Bus Company CEO Alex Hornby said: “We want our buses to be places people want to be seen in, with a bright and friendly image which stands out and attracts new customers, as well as those who already choose to travel with us.
“We planned our new Pendle Wizz service to stay out of the unpredictable traffic congestion in Manchester which affected the reliability of the Witchway, especially before the lockdown – meaning that our local customers along the new Pendle Wizz route can look forward to a more reliable service, seven days a week.
“As more people return to work and traffic levels increase, it’s vitally important that we take every opportunity to make sure our buses continue to be as reliable as they can be. Our customers tell us that an on-time service is the most important requirement – with the new Pendle Wizz product, we are delivering on that requirement.
“We’re also keeping many of the things our customers love, including the fast non-stop route along the M65 and the same great team of drivers based at our Queensgate depot in Burnley, who are all very much looking forward to welcoming everyone on board the new Pendle Wizz from Monday.”
The operator promoted its range of fares, with one and seven day tickets for the most popular journeys alongside its well-established single, return and season tickets which will continue to be available. Offers include a Barnoldswick to Skipton ticket which also includes travel on all Transdev buses from Skipton for £4.50 a day or £24 a week – and a Barnoldswick to Colne ticket, also valid on Mainline buses to Nelson, for £4.80 a day or £16.50 a week.
For those heading further afield, a Lancashire ticket gives unlimited travel on all Pendle Wizz buses and on all other Transdev buses across the Red Rose County for £7 a day or £22.50 a week – and for customers making for the bright lights and great shopping in Manchester, a through ticket covering all of the Pendle Wizz route plus all buses between Burnley and Manchester is £10 a day or £38 a week.
