Friday, 14 March 2014

Preston Bus Expands into Fylde Coast Schools

Rotala owned Preston Bus is set to expand its Fylde Coast presence with the award of six school bus contracts to Hogdson Academy and Baines High School in Poulton, St Aidans School in Preesall and Millfield School in Thornton. Poulton based Archway seems particularly affected with 7 routes lost, 1 retained and 2 new ones won. Blackpool Transport has also lost two routes.
Preston Bus have arranged an operating base at Jacksons Coaches in Marton - once used by Blackburn Transport for similar purposes.

 Many of these school services were held by Fylde during the 1990s but passed to independents after Fylde's takeover by Blackpool Transport. Most school contracts are currently in the hands of
  • Archway of Poulton with a fleet of 26 vehicles including 7 Olympians, 2 Dennis Arrows, 2 Volvo B10M single deckers and several coaches including high capacity 70 seaters.
  • Bank View of Freckelton with Olympian and large capacity Metrobus and Dennis Condor double deckers
  • Waltons of Freckleton mainly coaches but with 4 Optare Spectra double deckers
  • Bradshaws of Out Rawclife - coaches
Check in 1st of Westby ceased trading in the autumn with Archway and Bank View taking over their two Myrescough College workings.



School Service changes 22 April 2014
NumberRouteCurrent OperatorNew Operator
525Elswick to Cardinall Allen ArchwayElite Minibus And Coach Services
539Carleton Crossing to Preesall St Aidans ArchwayBradshaws Travel
543Pilling to Preesall St AidansBradshaws TravelBradshaws Travel
546Cleveleys to Hodgson SchoolBlackpool TransportPreston Bus
568Thornton to Millfield Schooln/aPreston Bus
578Kirkham-Treales-Kirkham Carr HillBank ViewArchway
579Stakepool to Cardinal Allen Elite Minibus And Coach ServicesElite Minibus And Coach Services
590Stakepool to Preesall St Aidans Bradshaws TravelWyre Coaches
594Staining to Hodgson HSArchwayPreston Bus
598Clifton to Lytham St BedesBank ViewBank View
607Thistleton to St Marys BlackpoolArchwayArchway
648Fleetwood to Hodgson/BainesArchwayPreston Bus
660Cleveleys to Hodgson SchoolArchwayPreston Bus
675Elswick to Broughton BECBon ChaunceArchway
841Fleetwood to Preesall St AidansArchwayBradshaws Travel
916St Annes Kilgrimol Gardens to St BedesBlackpool TransportBank View
951Fleetwood (Larkholme) to Preesall St AidansArchwayPreston Bus
Posted by PaulTurner at Friday, March 14, 2014