Festival buses to run on historic timetable
BUSES in Accrington are running on time, with the town’s first ever bus festival.
The town square will be filled with vintage and modern buses for transport enthusiasts this May Bank Holiday weekend, on Saturday, May 25.
The festival will run from 11am until 4pm, featuring historic buses from as early as the 1940s, right up until just before the millenium.
Some of the buses on display from Town and District Transport Trust include 1947 Northern Coachbuilders, 1953 Leyland Tiger PS2 with East Lancashire bodywork, 1978 MCW Metrobus and 1997 Stagecoach London.
Miles Parkinson, Hyndburn council leader, said: “This is the first bus fest Accrington has hosted and I am really looking forward to it.
“It is something a bit different that people of all ages can enjoy.
“There will be over 15 huge buses on display in Accrington Town Centre from a variety of decades that people can come to see, ask questions about and even go inside selected ones!
“For the children there will be a free treasure trail to take part in, they can collect their treasure map from the #AmazingAccrington stand on the day and complete it to win a prize.
“We want to invite families and friends to come into Accrington, to use the variety of shops available on our highstreets and see everything we have to offer.
“Events like this will encourage people to venture into our town who ordinarily wouldn’t, people who live locally and also those from neighbouring towns.”
Alex Hornby, chief executive of Transdev, said: “Alongside the wonderful display of vintage buses, we are adding something modern for people to have a look at.
“Transdev are bringing along one of our new low emission vehicles, as used on the 464 route which runs via Accrington.
“We are really excited to be part of this event and hope to encourage more people to use their local public transport routes.”
Accrington-based bus companies, Moving PEOPLE and Pilkington buses are also supporting the event.
Moving PEOPLE are bringing a brand-new £300,000 touring coach, and Pilkington Buses will be displaying four of their vehicles.
The event is supported by the Town and District Transport Trust, Pilkington Bus, Hyndburn Borough Council, Transdev and Moving PEOPLE,
More information can be found by visiting the #AmazingAccrington website.