THE owner of a new bus company challenging Blackburn Transport for its custom today accused her rival of foul play.

Suzanne Bailey, owner of Catch-me-bus.com, claimed Blackburn Transport buses were running earlier than they should yesterday to beat her to passengers.

She said she had been standing on Adelaide Street in Blackburn noting their times and would send them to the independent bus regulator.

However, representatives from Blackburn Transport were also out at the same spot keeping an eye on the times of her buses.

Blackburn Transport said it will be reviewing fares because it believes the new firm is trying to poach its passengers.

Catch-me-bus.com, based on Eden Street, Blackburn, was founded with one bus and one route in April this year.

It bought 12 more vehicles and yesterday began operating five minutes ahead of its rival's established services.

The new firm is looking to expand even further and move to a purpose-built complex housing 60-80 buses and offices on Whitebirk industrial estate.

Suzanne Bailey said: "They're being a bit naughty really. They're running earlier than they should be.

"I was there with my clipboard jotting their times down, I'll be sending them to the Ombudsman.

"I started the company because there is a gap in the market for more bus services.

"The government wants everyone to get on public transport but they won't get on if it's too expensive. That's why I'm providing a more frequent and cheaper bus service.

"People won't catch a bus unless it's cheap."

Catch-me-bus.com is running five minutes ahead of Blackburn Transport's timetabled services and has set all return fares at £1, with concessions paying 50p return per journey. For people travelling from Blackburn to Darwen, that is a saving of around 50p on Blackburn Transport fares.

Janet Anderson, MP for Darwen and Rossendale, said she broadly welcomed the move so long as it does not get out of hand.

"What we don't want is the sort of unruly bus war we had in Darlington and elsewhere, where we had buses racing down the street and drivers trying to push each other off the road."

Greg Pope, MP for Hyndburn, said he did not welcome the news because although it had short term benefits it would not change anything in the long run.

Nigel Evans, MP for Ribble Valley, welcomed the entry of the new company into the market.

He said: "Competition is good news, it should result in in improved services and cheaper fares for customers."

There will be new services from Blackburn to Highercroft, Darwen via Hoddlesden, Darwen via Lower Darwen and Darwen via Chapeltown.

A circular route taking in Lammack and Revidge will also start running today.

Nobody at Blackburn Transport was available for comment.