Rosso (bus company)

Last updated

Rosso
Rosso logo.svg
SK67FNC.jpg
Parent Transdev Blazefield
FoundedDecember 1907;116 years ago (1907-12)
Headquarters Harrogate, North Yorkshire
England
Service area
Service typeBus (Public Transport)
StationsRochdale Interchange
Depots0
Fleet28 (at April 2024)
Managing DirectorHenri Rohard [1]
Website transdevbus.co.uk/rosso/

Rosso (Rossendale Transport Limited) is a bus operator providing local services in Greater Manchester, Lancashire and West Yorkshire, England. It is a subsidiary of Transdev Blazefield, which operates bus services across Greater Manchester, Lancashire, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire.

Contents

History

The company's history dates back to December 1907, when both Haslingden Corporation Transport and Rawtenstall Corporation Transport first ran a motor bus within their boroughs. In 1968, both undertakings merged to form the Rossendale Joint Transport Committee. [2]

Following local government reorganisation in April 1974, the boroughs were merged, along with nearby Bacup and Whitworth, forming the present-day Borough of Rossendale.

In 1986, as part of the deregulation of bus services and to comply with the Transport Act 1985, the company's assets were transferred to a new legal entity named Rossendale Transport.

The company expanded over the following twenty years, operating local buses in Bury, Rochdale and Rossendale, as well as neighbouring Blackburn, Bolton, Burnley and Todmorden.

In September 1990, a new depot was established in Rochdale, in order to support new routes introduced in the town following the deregulation of bus services. [3]

In September 2008, the company's main depot and office facilities were moved from Rawtenstall to Haslingden, with the former buildings subsequently demolished. [4]

In early 2009, concerns were raised about the council's intentions, in relation to their continued ownership of the company. [5] [6] [7] It culminated in a public protest outside Rawtenstall Town Hall, with the aim of dissuading Rossendale Borough Council from selling. [8] In July 2009, the council announced that it was retaining its ownership of the company, with an acceptable valuation not having been met by any potentially interested parties. [9]

In August 2013, the network was rebranded, with a new livery design of red, orange, yellow and white. At the same time, the company was renamed Rosso. [10]

Following the granting of approval on 20 December 2017, the company was sold by Rossendale Borough Council on 12 January 2018. [11] [12] [13] The sale saw the company's 240 staff and 102 vehicles join Transdev Blazefield – a move which saw the investment of £3 million in a new fleet of high-specification vehicles for routes in and around Bury, Rochdale and Rossendale. [14] [15] [16]

In April 2018, the company's Haslingden depot, which opened ten years earlier, was closed. Staff and vehicles were reassigned within the business to nearby depots across Lancashire. [17] [18]

On the 25th March 2024, all Bury and Rochdale operations (apart from the 464, 481 and 483) were taken over by the Bee Network. The Rochdale depot was sold to First and, as of April 2024, is being reconstructed into the First Rochdale depot. Several vehicles were withdrawn, sold, scrapped, or repainted into either Burnley or Blackburn colours. Most drivers were also displaced either to Blackburn Bus Company or Burnley Bus Company to learn and drive routes there.

Services and branding

Rossendale Transport bus 112 (P212 DCK), 18 September 2008 (1).jpg
Rossendale Transport bus 61 (YJ05 JWM), 20 June 2008.jpg
Rossendale Transport 213 Volvo B7RLE Wright Eclipse 2 PO59 MLN.jpg
PN52WWO at Littleborough (27351293210).jpg
YJ07PBO.jpg
SK67FNC.jpg
Branding: past and present

464

The 464 service operates between Accrington and Rochdale via Rawtenstall up to every 15 minutes, with a half-hourly frequency during the evening and on Sunday. This route is operated by a fleet of Optare Versa single-deck vehicles branded in a two-tone purple and pink livery. Features include free Wifi, USB and wireless charging and audio-visual next stop announcements. [16]

Irwell Line

The Irwell Line brand encompasses two services, which operate along the Irwell Valley. The routes operate between Blackburn (481) or Burnley (483) and Bury via Rawtenstall. Services are operated by a fleet of Volvo B7RLE/Plaxton Centro single-deck vehicles, branded in a two-tone black and grey livery. Features include free WiFi, USB charging and audio-visual next stop announcements.

Rossendale Rovers

Launched in January 2021, Rossendale Rovers is a brand encompassing a number of local services operating in and around the Rossendale Valley. Services are operated by a fleet of 3 Mellor Strata single-deck vehicles, branded in a two-tone yellow and orange livery. Features include audio-visual next stop announcements. [19] [20] [21]

Fleet and operations

Depots

As of November 2024, the company shares depots with The Burnley Bus Company and The Blackburn Bus Company.

Vehicles

As of April 2024, the fleet consists of 27 buses. The fleet consists of diesel-powered single and double-deck buses manufactured by Alexander Dennis, Wrightbus, Plaxton and Optare, as well as minibuses manufactured by Mellor.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Borough of Rossendale</span> Borough and non-metropolitan district in Lancashire, England

Rossendale is a local government district with borough status in Lancashire, England. Its council is based in Bacup and its largest town is Rawtenstall. It also includes the towns of Haslingden and Whitworth. The borough is named after the Rossendale Valley, the upper part of the River Irwell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transdev Blazefield</span> Bus operating group in England

Transdev Blazefield is a bus group, which operates local and regional bus services across Greater Manchester, Lancashire, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire, England. Formed in August 1991, the group has been a subsidiary of French-based operator Transdev since January 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rossendale Valley</span> River valley in Lancashire, England

The Rossendale Valley is in the Rossendale area of Lancashire, England, between the West Pennine Moors and the main range of the Pennines. The area includes the steep-sided valleys of the River Irwell and its tributaries, which flow southwards into Greater Manchester. The rivers cut through the moorland of the Rossendale Hills, generally characterized by open unwooded land, despite the ancient designation of "forest".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rawtenstall</span> Town in Rossendale, Lancashire, England

Rawtenstall is a town in the borough of Rossendale, Lancashire, England. The town lies 15 miles north of Manchester, 22 miles east of Preston and 45 miles south east of Lancaster. The town is at the centre of the Rossendale Valley. As of 2022, it had a population of 23,000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stagecoach North West</span> Stagecoach bus operating subsidiary in North West England

Stagecoach North West was a major bus operator in North West England. The company was a subsidiary of the Stagecoach Group, and had its origins in the purchase of Cumberland in 1987 and Ribble Motor Services in 1988 from the National Bus Company. The head office of Stagecoach North West was in Carlisle. Although the cities of Liverpool and Manchester are in the North West of England, Stagecoach Manchester and Stagecoach Merseyside were run as separate divisions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blackburn Transport</span>

Blackburn Transport was a municipal bus company based in Blackburn from 1881 until 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burnley Bus Company</span> Transdev-owned bus operator in England

The Burnley Bus Company operates both local and regional bus services in Greater Manchester and Lancashire, England. It is a subsidiary of Transdev Blazefield, which operates bus services across Greater Manchester, Lancashire, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blackburn Bus Company</span> Transdev-owned bus operator

The Blackburn Bus Company operates both local and regional bus services in Greater Manchester and Lancashire, England. It is a subsidiary of Transdev Blazefield, which operates bus services across Greater Manchester, Lancashire, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yorkshire Coastliner</span> Bus operator in North Yorkshire, England

Yorkshire Coastliner is a bus company that operates both local and regional bus services in North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire, England. It is a subsidiary of Transdev Blazefield.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keighley Bus Company</span> Transdev-owned bus operator

The Keighley Bus Company operates both local and regional bus services in West Yorkshire, England. It is a subsidiary of Transdev Blazefield.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harrogate Bus Company</span> Transdev-owned bus operator

The Harrogate Bus Company operates both local and regional bus services in North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire, England. It is a subsidiary of Transdev Blazefield.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transdev Northern Blue</span>

Transdev Northern Blue was a bus operator operating around Burnley between July 1999 and August 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Team Pennine</span> Transdev-owned bus operator

Team Pennine operates both local and regional bus services in West Yorkshire, England. It is a subsidiary of Transdev Blazefield, which operates bus services across Greater Manchester, Lancashire, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire.

Blackburn Boulevard bus station served the town of Blackburn, Lancashire, England. The bus station was situated adjacent to the Blackburn railway station and the town's Cathedral in the town centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Witch Way</span> Lancashire bus route

The Witch Way is the branding for long-standing English bus route X43, which runs between Burnley and Manchester. The service is currently operated by The Burnley Bus Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive</span> Public body responsible for public transport in Greater Manchester (1974–2011)

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive was the public body responsible for public transport in Greater Manchester between 1974 and 2011, when it became part of Transport for Greater Manchester.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire</span> Bus operator

Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire operates both local and regional bus services in Cumbria, Lancashire, Northumberland and Tyne and Wear, England, as well as Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. It is a subsidiary of the Stagecoach Group, which operates bus, coach, rail and tram services across the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire</span> Bus operator in North West England

Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire is a major operator of bus services in North West England. It is a subsidiary of the Stagecoach Group and is headquartered in Liverpool.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Express X41 line</span> Bus route in Lancashire and Greater Manchester, England

The Red Express X41 is a bus service run by the Blackburn Bus Company which runs between Accrington and Manchester, serving the communities of Haslingden, Ramsbottom, Prestwich and Harpurhey, Collyhurst during peak times. The service uses the M60 and M66 motorways, connecting communities and schools like The Hollins and Haslingden High School. A point of interest in the route is the East Lancashire Railway in Ramsbottom.

References

  1. ↑ "Our new electric buses". Transdev . 16 August 2023. Archived from the original on 17 August 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  2. ↑ "Britain's bus fleets". Commercial Motor . 8 November 1968. p. 56.
  3. ↑ Postlethwaite, p.36
  4. ↑ "All change at Rawtenstall bus depot". Lancashire Telegraph . 11 September 2008. Retrieved 16 September 2009.
  5. ↑ "Council bosses dispel fears over future of Rossendale Transport". Lancashire Telegraph . 4 March 2009. Retrieved 16 September 2009.
  6. ↑ "Fighting for future of buses". Rossendale Free Press . 8 April 2009. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  7. ↑ "Bus workers roll out major petition". Rossendale Free Press . 17 April 2009. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  8. ↑ Magill, Peter (15 May 2009). "Rossendale Transport protesters at mayor making". Lancashire Telegraph . Retrieved 16 September 2009.
  9. ↑ "Rossendale Borough Council and the test marketing of Rossendale Transport Limited". Rossendale Borough Council . 28 July 2009. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  10. ↑ Morrison, Michael (21 August 2013). "New-look fleet of Rossendale buses ready to roll". Lancashire Telegraph . Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  11. ↑ Green, Charlotte (15 December 2017). "Council-owned Rosso bus to be sold to private operator". Rossendale Free Press . Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  12. ↑ Marshall, Brad (15 December 2017). "Proposed takeover of Bury bus services announced". Bury Times. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  13. ↑ Dougall, Emily (3 January 2018). "Rosso sale to Transdev confirmed". Coach & Bus Week . Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  14. ↑ "£3 million investment promised in Rossendale for bus users as Rossendale Borough Council approves the sale of Rosso to Transdev". Rosso. 21 December 2017. Archived from the original on 24 December 2017. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  15. ↑ Athey, Neil (17 January 2018). "£3 million of investment ready to 'make East Lancs buses better'". Lancashire Telegraph . Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  16. 1 2 Dougall, Emily (6 November 2018). "Transdev invests £3m in 20 new Versas for Rosso". Coach & Bus Week. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  17. ↑ Gee, Chris (13 April 2018). "Sadness as Haslingden bus depot closes following Rosso takeover". Rossendale Free Press . Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  18. ↑ Byatt, Flora (4 July 2019). "Haslingden's former bus depot set to become furniture manufacturing unit". Accrington Observer . Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  19. ↑ Kelly, Robert (24 December 2020). "New bus brand comes to Rossendale". Lancashire Telegraph . Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  20. ↑ "Rossendale Rovers network to build buses back better in 2021". Transdev . 28 December 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  21. ↑ Dougall, Emily (5 January 2021). "Transdev creates new Rossendale Rovers network to help 'build buses back better'". Coach & Bus Week. Retrieved 24 April 2022.

Sources

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.