A NEW £3million fleet of buses launched for the flagship X43 service from East Lancashire to Manchester has contributed to a major increase in passenger numbers.
Burnley & Pendle Travel bosses say its investment in the new leather-seated twin-deck Witch Way' buses has seen 24.1 per cent more passengers travelling on a section of route from Nelson and Burnley to stops in Rawtenstall and Manchester.
Over the six month period since the new service was launched, passengers travelling on the X43 grew by 16.1 per cent overall.
The fleet runs between Nelson and Burnley and Manchester every 20 minutes through the day from Monday to Saturday, more often at peak times, up to every 30 minutes on Sundays, and hourly during the evening.
The company has marketed the new X43 fleet as "business class as standard" with publicity aimed at reaching motorists who haven't used the bus in years.
Burnley & Pendle's operations director, Russell Revill, said: "Clearly we are delighted that the initiative has been so well received."
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