I carried out my threat and decided to have a day out on Transdev's Lancashire operations (though I'd put it here rather than the Rosso thread) on Saturday and thought I'd share my observations/opinions FWIW on them, and some wider observations. Hopefully, it's of interest and provides a balanced view.
I'd had a night socialising so it wasn't an early start, arriving in Bury and parking the car at about 10:15. It was a short stroll to the Bury Interchange, which feels like it's caught in a timewarp. TfGM have spent some time building new bus stations in Wigan and Bolton plus the new Rochdale Interchange so this looks decidedly 1980s. Still, I was able to get a very nice array of Transdev leaflets and made my way to catch the soon to disappear Red4. The vehicle was 1868, one of the ex CityZap machines. It was impressive (and the internal marketing was good) but I wasn't impressed. I wasn't keen on the seats, and it was too opulent, confirming my thoughts in that all the good stuff is just wasted on service where the average journey time is c.10-15 mins. There were other gripes like the timetable booklet. Whilst the Red4 times hadn't changed, the connecting journeys showing the Red Express obviously have with the halving of the frequency. Given that they show links to Manchester that would be more sensible by heading to Bury and getting the tram, you question why do it? However, the worst aspect of the journey was the ride quality. The road surface isn't good but it was the worst trip on a Wright Eclipse I have ever had. Rattles and bodywork flexing - really bad. I was checking out the services into Bury and whilst Diamond's ex First Eclipses were half full, it was a handful on the Red4. It's overbussed, and the Red4 offers something different but it feels like "feature dumping" for vehicles that needed a home.
Into a cold drizzly Rammy and then onto the X41 to Accrington. The Red Express duly arrived with B7TL 3604. Loadings weren't exactly great but I was heading North so they wouldn't be. These machines have been worked hard but this seemed to handle things ok. It was fine but I did begin to wonder if the Red Express branding was any improvement on the old Lancashire Way; it just seems a bit vanilla and a rare false step from Mr Stenning. We arrived at Accy bus station and this is another thing that gets me. I think passengers should have decent places to wait for buses, not just a few bus shelters located at a train station on the periphery of the town because they do that in Holland. However, this just seemed massive and over-specced, tucked away down some back alley. Lancashire CC seem obsessed with them - see the new Rawtenstall facility).
I wandered off to grab a sandwich and then got back for the M1 Mainline to Burnley. It was 245, one of the Versas allocated to it; I'm not a fan of Versas and thought this might be a bit underpowered. However, I have to say it was fine. The heating certainly worked, it was comfortable, and it was superbly appointed internally. Really couldn't complain. We arrived into Burnley and had time for lunch and a lurk. Saw one of the old B10BLEs (1072) and I know it's a criticism often brought up about their age. Can't say about the ride quality but the internal and external presentation for such an old machine was exceptional. That said, another criticism is the number of vehicles in old liveries and yes, that was evident. It may be a work in progress but whilst the WitchWay and Mainline looks good, the consistency elsewhere is a bit lacking.
It was time to head south so it was a WitchWay B9 in 2779, and one of my favourite trips as we belted up out of Burnley and past Clowbridge Reservoir. Always a good thrash. Mind you, not all good. We were running in tandem with another X43 so leapfrogging each other and that it was a B7TL.... You'd hope that perhaps a full new fleet for the WW is now due? I got off at Rawtenstall bus station and the B9 stood time to let the B7 get away so some common sense there. This is still being fitted out and finished off but had recently opened. That the enquiry kiosk is manned at all, let alone a Saturday, is impressive though the lady there was not exactly overburdened with enquiries. Now, the old bus station was horrendous and needed replacement but this just seems OTT. Also, it was noticeable that aside from the constant Witchways and the 464.... it's all a bit quiet now. I got the 464 (running late) with Versa 290 and again, very impressed. Service reliability seemed a bit iffy but, in fairness to Transdev, it was really bad with traffic through Waterfoot. I exited at Bacup and saw the Christmas fayre - what a depressed and depressing place Bacup is. There's some good shops and cafes and people but it looks very down at heel otherwise.
Next bus was the 7 to Todmorden and I was glad to get this one as I'd never done it before. What a great little trip over the top it is - glad I did it. It was 2784, one of the Rosso ex Arriva London B7TLs. I'd heard one earlier sounding like a jet taking off but this was a bit better. However, you see the interior (yes, a light refurb) but it shows how Rosso were working to a tight budget in later years. However, the journey was lovely as the light faded and we left Lancashire for Gods Own County, and dropped into Tod. Noticeably, it's a lot more vibrant than in Bacup despite them being similarly sized. We arrived in the bus station at Tod (functional but not bad) and I decided that I'd pay my way next and got a single to Littleborough on First's 590 operated by B9 37124. What I did notice was the hotch potch of First vehicles - some B9s, some B7RLEs 05, 09 or 13 plate and the odd one branded as Calder Connect. It's a mess and you wonder why First West Yorkshire can't allocate a consistent set of decent branded vehicles onto the routes and perhaps that might help stave off the cuts that are coming. 37124 was competent but with frayed, faded seats - it infuriates me when you see First not focus on developing routes that they could really foster!
Into Littleborough and then a short wait for the Transdev's Lakeline and Streetlite 613 to do the 458. I could've caught the quicker 457 but I fancied a longer ride. This was one of the last new Rosso vehicles and whilst the moquette was a bit naff....it was actually a decent ride. None of the tell tale transmission jerks from badly set up vehicles, much nicer than my Red4 Eclipse. The external and internal marketing is superb. Into Rochdale Interchange though I'm surprised that the interchange is across the road from the tram stop.... couldn't it have been integrated? However, a minor gripe as it's much better than the old place and good to see investment going into the town on a wider basis. Last bus was Transdev's Trax 467, again with a Streetlite in 606. Again, a decent machine and not bad loadings for 5pm on a Saturday and again, the internal presentation was excellent.
All in all, a good day. Transdev, when they get it right, do a good job. I don't agree with the posters personal (or not) issues with Alex Hornby but I can see some of the issues in areas such as fleet replacement, vehicles in numerous old liveries (e.g. Coastliner) and some of the promo stuff is perhaps at the expense of product (and one doesn't work without the other). However, it's good to see Transdev trying to market their services actively, in marked comparison with First and Diamond, and much of the criticism that comes from people seems odd - jeez, we only have to see First, Arriva or Diamond are. Hope this is of interest, representing my last big trip out of the year.