Stagecoach North West - Stagecoach in Lancashire

Stagecoach in Lancashire

Stagecoach in Lancashire is the trading name of Ribble Motor Services Ltd and operates services around the Central Lancashire area, serving Preston, Chorley, Bolton and Blackburn (formerly Stagecoach Ribble). The service also operates Network Chorley which provides transport around the local Chorley area.

In 2006 Stagecoach started to increase services in Preston under the name Stagecoach Preston Citi, using mainly Optare Solos and Dennis Enviro 400s, in competition with the established operator, Preston Bus. Stagecoach duplicated some Preston Bus routes, such as 19 and 22 to Royal Preston Hospital, 11 to Gamull Lane and 16 to Farringdon Park, as well as introducing new services such as the 32 to Larches and Savick and services to Tanterton and Ingol. They also increasing the frequency of service 3 to Penwortham, as Preston Bus had started a frequest service between Preston and Penwortham, and a limited service between Preston and Southport, duplicating existing Stagecoach routes. The bus war ended in January 2009, with the purchase of Preston Bus by Stagecoach North West. For more details, see Stagecoach in Preston or the sub category below.

Stagecoach in Lancashire has many smaller labels: The Fylde Villager, The Wyre Villager, Network Ribble Valley & Network Chorley. Other services include X2, 125 & 126.

In early 2009, Stagecoach lost the contract for some Fylde Villager branded services to Cumfybus and Coastal Coaches, who operate them on on behalf of Lancashire County Council.