All aboard another reinstated bus route!

Following its departure in 2016, Blackburn’s Outer Circle bus route is back in action from May.

Thanks to the Bus Service Improvement Plan, which saw the council secure around £3.7 million of government funding to improve bus services across the borough, routes that haven’t been in use for a long time, are back.

In December, we announced that three new bus services linking sheltered accommodation with Blackburn Town Centre had been reinstated. Now, the old Outer Circle bus service will run again, after it was cut in August 2016.

Travelling through Whitebirk, past Royal Blackburn Hospital, over to Witton Park and up to Pleckgate, the new service will begin operating on Sunday 04 May and run on average every 40 minutes at peak times and every 75 minutes at off peak times, from Monday to Friday. On the weekend and bank holidays, it will operate approximately hourly.

Residents who remember the old service will notice a few improvements this time. The 5A will still run anticlockwise around the town, with the 5C running clockwise; however, the 55A and 55C services will also run on a similar route, with minor variations, operating alternatively at peak times on Monday to Friday. This ensures a wider coverage to businesses and out of town shopping areas. In addition, when Blackburn Rovers have a mid-week game, the 5A and 5C will operate in each direction, departing Ewood fifteen minutes after the final whistle. 

The service will be operated by Vision Bus Ltd. You can view the full timetable on their website.

Tony Murphy, General Manager of Vision Bus Ltd said:

Vision Bus is absolutely thrilled to team up with Blackburn with Darwen Council to bring these historic routes back to life for our local communities.

We’re revved up with excitement and can’t wait to hit the road running!

Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Councillor Phil Riley said:

I’ve been a big supporter of reinstating this bus route. It’s a fantastic service that allows people to get to those harder to reach places.

And being able to offer a suitable option home for Rovers supporters is an added bonus!

Councillor Quesir Mahmood, Executive Member of Growth and Development said:

Turning proposals from the bus service improvement plan into reality has been top of the agenda for a few years now; and it’s great to see it all come to fruition.

Not only have we been reinstating bus routes, but we’ve also been busy upgrading bus stops and key junctions to reduce journey times for bus users. Once this work is completed later in the year, I’m confident that those choosing to travel by bus will be rewarded for doing so.

It’s now over to residents to ensure they future proof these services by utilising them.