Stagecoach in Preston


Stagecoach in Preston was a network of bus routes running within the city of Preston, Lancashire and into the surrounding area. It was founded in 2009 after Stagecoach Group acquired Preston Bus that was founded in 1904. The company operated from the main depot on Deepdale Road and their other depot on Selbourne Street. In January 2011, the company was sold to Rotala, which now operates the services under the Preston Bus brand.

History

was founded in 1904 as Preston District Travel, and as was bought from the local authority by its employees in 1993 as part of deregulation. It became a limited company.
In 2006, Stagecoach North West set up various services using a fleet of new & old Optare Solos, Dennis Enviro 400s, and new & old Dennis Dart SLFs in order to compete with Preston Bus. They were branded as "Preston Citi". Competition grew into a bus war with Stagecoach offering lower fares on the busiest routes.
Both companies accused each other of unprofessional behaviour, with some Stagecoach drivers reported to have thrown eggs at Preston Buses.
On 10 June 2008, both companies were agreed to a code of practice by the traffic commissioner. Competition continued, Stagecoach operating routes within Preston and Preston Bus operating a route between Preston and Penwortham.
On 30 December 2008, it was announced that Stagecoach had approached Preston Bus to negotiate a possible sale. This was agreed and on 23 January 2009 Stagecoach North West purchased Preston Bus for £10.4 million. From March 2009, the combined network of routes was rebranded as Stagecoach in Preston.
On 28 May 2009, the Office of Fair Trading announced that it was referring the purchase of Preston Bus by Stagecoach to the Competition Commission. Their provisional findings were that the purchase has reduced competition and may potentially harm the interests of passengers. Possible remedies involved the sale of part or all of the business and measures to encourage new entry by other operators, as well as controls on fares and requirements to maintain service levels. The final report was due by 12 November 2009.
On 12 November 2009, the Competition Commission submitted that Stagecoach would have to sell a "reconfigured" Preston Bus. Stagecoach had some freedom over what it sells, although it had to be approved by the Competition Commission.
Stagecoach appealed to the Competition Appeal Tribunal, stating that the Competition Commission's decision was "perverse and irrational" and that the Commission had committed an error in law with its use of the counterfactual argument and handling of Stagecoach's responses.
When the Competition Appeals Tribuneral announced their verdict, Stagecoach began actively looking for a buyer. The result was that Stagecoach retained route 11. Things reverted to how they were before the takeover, with services transferring between Stagecoach and Preston Bus. Service 7 was withdrawn, and service 4 revised among other changes. Services 19, 22 & 8 reverted from giving change to fast fare. The 19-22 system was replaced by the original system operated by Preston Bus, and smaller buses were now used on the 19.
From the moment the Competition Commission announced it was investigating, Stagecoach stopped repainting buses out of Preston Bus livery. Some of those that were painted in Stagecoach colours were later returned to Preston Bus livery before the sale.
In January 2011, the company was sold to Rotala, which now operates the services under the Preston Bus brand.

Routes

Below are the routes operated by Stagecoach in Preston in March 2010:
No.FromToViaFast Fare/Gives ChangeMain Bus UsedMain FrequencyNotes
citi 1Preston Bus Station Stand 69Longridge Post OfficeRibbleton Avenue, GrimsarghGives ChangeAlexander Dennis Enviro 400, Dennis Trident/ALX40010 minutesrun alongside service 11 in time providing 5 minute freq. till Grange
citi 2Preston Bus Station Stand 61SouthportHutton, Longton, Tarleton, Hesketh BankGives ChangeAlexander Dennis Enviro 400, Dennis Trident/ALX 4002 per hour Preston to Hesketh Bank, 1 per hour continuing to Southport.
citi 2APreston Bus Station Stand 61Ormskirk Bus StationHutton, Longton, Tarleton, BurscoughGives ChangeAlexander Dennis Enviro 400, Dennis Trident/ALX 4001 per hourRuns alongside 2 providing 20 minute frequency between Preston & Tarleton
2BPreston Bus Station Stand 61Ormskirk Bus Station Stand 6New Longton, Longton, Tarleton, BurscoughGives ChangeOptare Solo1 hourSubsidised by Lancs County Council
citi 3Preston Bus Station Stand 65PenworthamCop LaneGives ChangeOptare Esteem, Dennis Dart SLF/Pointer, Optare Versa, MAN 18.2207/8 minutes
citi 3APreston Bus Station Stand 63Penwortham Clive RoadBroadgate, Hill Road South, Central DriveFast FareOptare Solo1 hourSubsidised By Lancs County Council.
citi 3BPreston Bus Station Stand 63LongtonBroadgate, Hill Road South, Whitestake, New LongtonFast FareOptare Solo1 hourSubs. by LCC. Run alongside 3A to provide 30 min freq. till Hill Road South.
4Preston Bus Station Stand 12ChippingGarstang Rd, Watling St Rd, Royal Preston Hospital, Wychnor, Woodplumpton, Whittingham, Longridge Post OfficeGives ChangeOptare Solo1 hourNetwork Ribble Valley. Subsidised by Lancashire County Council
citi 7Preston Bus Station Stand 16BrookfieldGarstang Road, Watling Street RoadFast FareOptare Solo, Leyland Olympian15 minutesEasy access buses aren't used only 4 specified times a day.
citi 8Preston Bus Station Stand 73Moor NookRibbleton AvenueFast FareOptare Solo10 minutes
citi 9Preston Bus Station Stand 74Moor NookNew Hall Lane, Miller RoadGives ChangeOptare Esteem, Dennis Dart SLF/Pointer, Dennis Dart SLF/Capital, Dennis Dart SLF/Spryte, MAN 18.22010 minutesRun alongside service 8 in time providing service to Moor Nook 5 min freq
citi 11Preston Bus Station Stand 71Gamull LaneRibbleton Avenue, Grange EstateFast FareDennis Trident/Lolyne, Optare Esteem, Scania Omnidekka, Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 10 minutesrun alongside service 1 in time providing 5 min freq. till Gamull Lane
citi 14Preston Bus Station Stand 18Fairfax RoadSt Paul's Road, St George's Road, St Gregory's Road, Holme SlackFast FareOptare Solo15 minutes
citi 16Preston Bus Station Stand 75Farringdon ParkNew Hall LaneFast FareOptare Esteem, Dennis Trident/ALX 400, Dennis Dart SLF, Alexander Dennis Enviro 400, MAN 18.22010 minutes
citi 19Preston Bus Station Stand 19Royal Preston Hospital Hospital Turning CircleDeepdale Road, Watling Street RoadFast FareOptare Esteem, Dennis Dart SLF/Pointer, Dennis Dart SLF/Capital, Dennis Dart SLF/Spryte, Alexander Dennis Enviro 400, Dennis Trident/ALX 400, Optare Versa, MAN 18.22010 minutesContinues as service 22 to Preston City Centre
citi 19APreston Bus Station Stand 21Royal Preston Hospital Main EntranceDeepdale Road, Watling Street Road, Sharoe Green Lane, Hospital Turning Circle, Broadwood Drive EstateFast FareOptare Solo10 minutesRun alongside 19 to provide service to RPH via Watling St Rd every 5 minutes
citi 22Preston Bus Station Stand 22Royal Preston Hospital Main EntranceAdelphi Street, Plunington Road, Black Bull LaneFast FareOptare Esteem, Dennis Dart SLF/Pointer, Dennis Dart SLF/Capital, Dennis Dart SLF/Spryte, Alexander Dennis Enviro 400, Dennis Trident/ALX 400, Optare Versa, MAN 18.22010 minutesContinues as service 19 to Preston City Centre
citi 23Preston Bus Station Stand 23Fulwood AsdaAdelphi Street, Plunington Road, Black Bull Lane, Royal Preston Hospital "Turning Circle", SherwoodFast FareDennis Trident/Lolyne, Scania Omnidekka10 minutesRun alongside 22 to provide service to RPH via Plungington Rd every 5 minutes
citi 29
citi 29A		Preston Bus Station Stand 58FrenchwoodLondon Road or Manchester Road Fast FareOptare Solo30 minutesSubsidised by Lancashire County Council
citi 31Preston Bus Station Stand 33SavickBrook Street, Eldon Street, Lane EndsFast FareOptare Solo15 minutes
citi 35Preston Bus Station Stand 33TantertonFylde Road, Lane Ends, Tag LaneFast FareDennis Trident/Lolyne, Scania Omnidekka7/8 minutes
citi 44Preston Bus Station Stand 35Ingol Dunbar RoadPlungington Road, Eldon Street, Lane Ends, Tag Lane, Redcar AvenueFast FareOptare Solo15 minutes
61Preston Bus Station Stand 66Blackpool Talbot Road T6Lane Ends, Blackpool Road, Lea, KirkhamGives ChangeDennis Trident/Lolyne, Dennis Trident/ALX 40030 minutes
Coastliner 68Preston Bus Station Stand 68Blackpool Talbot Road T6Tulketh Road, Blackpool Road, Lea, Freckleton, Warton, Lytham, St AnnesGives ChangeDennis Trident/ALX 400, Dennis Trident/Lolyne, Optare Esteem15 minutes
citi 81Preston Bus Station Stand 56Conway DriveLane Ends, Mill LaneGives ChangeOptare Solo1 hourSubsidised by Lancashire County Council
citi 87Preston Bus Station Stand 25Lea Dodney DriveLane Ends, Blackpool Road, Larches AvenueFast FareOptare Solo30 minutesNon- Easy Access Buses rarely used.
Orbit 88APreston Bus Station Stand 17Preston Bus Station Stand 17Deepdale Road, Brookfield, Blue Bell Way, Fulwood Asda, Sherwood Way, Royal Preston Hospital, Cadley Causeway, Tag Lane, Cottam, Larches, Mariners WayFast FareOptare Solo15 minutesPreston orbit anti-clockwise
Orbit 88CPreston Bus Station Stand 27Preston Bus Station Stand 27Mariners Way, Larches, Cottam, Tag Lane, Cadley Causeway, Royal Preston Hospital, Sherwood Way, Fulwood Asda, Blue Bell Way, Brookfield, Deepdale RoadFast FareOptare Solo15 minutesPreston orbit clockwise
citi 89Preston Bus Station Stand 25Lea Dodney DriveMariners Way, Pedders Lane, Blackpool Road, Larches AvenueFast FareLeyland Olympian, Optare Solo30 minutesEasy Access Buses used 30% of the time
113Preston Bus Station Stand 59Wigan Bus StationBamber Bridge, Lostock Hall, Farington, Leyland, Eccleston, StandishGives ChangeOptare Solo1 hourSubsidised by Lancashire County Council, Sundays don't operate from Preston, so subsidised by GMPTE.
Boomerang 150
151		Preston Bus Station Stand 6Bamber BridgeHigher Walton, Gregson LaneGives ChangeOptare Solo30 minutesEvening and Sunday journeys subsidised by Lancashire County Council
X2Preston Bus Station Stand 63Liverpool Queen SquareA59, Tarleton, Southport, Formby, BootleGives ChangeScania E400/Alexander Dennis Enviro 40030 minutesListed as Best UK Express Bus Service 2009
X59Preston Bus Station Stand 11Blackburn Bus Station LSamlesbury, Mellor Brook, BeardwoodGives ChangeVolvo Olympian, Coaches, Optare Solo1 hourAlso branded as Stagecoach Express, Optare Solos used during evenings.
X61Blackpool Talbot Rd T6Manchester Shudehill Interchange-Kirkham, Preston Bus Station Stand 11, Frenchwood - Chorley, Horwich SalfordGives ChangeScania E400/Alexander Dennis Enviro 400, Alexander Dennis Enviro 400, Volvo Olympian, CoachesEvery hour until 4pm.Also branded as Stagecoach Express, Easy Access buses used 50% of the time.

Preston park and ride

All park and ride buses are Easy Access
Services 1 & 2 primarily use Optare Solo SRs, Optare Solos are additionally used at peak periods. The Orbits are 88A & 88C and therefore use Optare Solos.
No.FromToFast Fare/Gives ChangeNotes
1PrestonPortwayGives Change
2PrestonWalton-le-DaleGives Change
orbitsPrestonBluebell WayFast Fare

School services

Stagecoach in Preston also provided school buses to secondary school and colleges in Preston and the Wyre, running as far as Cabus and Garstang to the north, Accrington to the east, Chorley to the south and Blackpool to the west.

Brands

Depots

Stagecoach in Preston use two depots.
The main one is the one previously owned by Preston Bus, on Deepdale Road. This can hold over 150 buses and holds all buses in Preston Bus Livery, Citi Livery and Stagecoach in Preston livery.
The other smaller one is on Selbourne Street. This holds buses in the liveries of Fylde Coastliner, Network Ribble Valley, 113, those still in Stagecoach in Lancashire and Boomerang Livery. It is also where the outstations at Fleetwood and Clitheroe report to. This was previously owned by Stagecoach in Lancashire, and before that Ribble Motor Services. Before 2005 this had been rated as one of the worst Stagecoach depots in the UK for timekeeping, because at the time it mainly relied on interurbans.

Fleet

At Stagecoach Takeover

The Preston Bus fleet was originally all double deckers, but latterly the company moved to single deckers and midibuses, with the most common vehicle as of 2008 being the Optare Solo midibus.
When Stagecoach took over Preston Bus in 2009, the fleet comprised
When Preston Bus was sold to Rotala in January 2011, the fleet comprised:
The majority of buses in the Stagecoach in Preston fleet are Easy Accessible. Optare Solos, Dennis Tridents, Optare Esteems, Optare Solo SRs, Optare Versas, MANs, Enviro 400s, and Dennis Dart SLFs are all Easy Access. Services 2, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 8, 9, 11, 14, 16, 19, 19A, 22, 23, 29, 35, 44, 68, 81, Orbits, 113, 150, 151, and X2 are all completely Easy Access. All the others except service 89 are often Easy Access. Service 7 has specified times that aren't Easy access, four times a day.