Preston - 25 May 2019

Saturday 25 May 2019 (0844) – Preston bus station, Lancashire. Preston’s iconic bus station opened in October 1969 and a leaflet published by Ribble Motor Services for the opening said it was the largest bus station in Britain. Originally it had 80 loading stands. Those on the eastern side (which this is) were used by Ribble, its joint operators and by other express service, tour and excursion operators. These stands were numbered 41 to 80 from where this photo was taken but now the numbers run from 1 to 39 in the opposite direction. The bays on the western side were numbered 1 to 40 and were primarily used by the buses of Preston Corporation Transport (plus Ribble on some joint services they worked with PCT). This part of the bus station is no longer used by buses and is being redeveloped. The ground level passenger concourse is topped by a multi-storey car park with each deck featuring upturned fluted curves giving the building a most original look. In 2000 the City Council was planning its demolition to create a new city centre development but objections were raised to that plan and the campaigners successfully managed to obtain Grade II listing thus ensuring the building’s future.

Saturday 25 May 2019 (0857) – Buses of Stagecoach North West and Preston Bus plus an Optare Solo of Coastal Coaches seen in Preston bus station. Preston’s iconic bus station opened in October 1969 and a leaflet published by Ribble Motor Services for the opening said it was the largest bus station in Britain. Originally it had 80 loading stands. Those on the eastern side (which this is) were used by Ribble, its joint operators and by other express service, tour and excursion operators. These stands were numbered 41 to 80 towards the camera but now the numbers run from 1 to 39 in the opposite direction. The bays on the western side were numbered 1 to 40 and were primarily used by the buses of Preston Corporation Transport (plus Ribble on some joint services they worked with PCT). This part of the bus station is no longer used by buses and is being redeveloped. The ground level passenger concourse is topped by a multi-storey car park with each deck featuring upturned fluted curves giving the building a most original look. In 2000 the City Council was planning its demolition to create a new city centre development but objections were raised to that plan and the campaigners successfully managed to obtain Grade II listing thus ensuring the building’s future.

Saturday 25 May 2019 (0847) – Preston’s iconic bus station opened in October 1969 and a leaflet published by Ribble Motor Services for the opening said it was the largest bus station in Britain. Originally it had 80 loading stands. The bays on the western side were numbered 1 to 40 and were primarily used by the buses of Preston Corporation Transport (plus Ribble on some joint services they worked with PCT). This part of the bus station is no longer used by buses and is being redeveloped. The buses now load exclusively on the eastern side. The ground level passenger concourse is topped by a multi-storey car park with each deck featuring upturned fluted curves giving the building a most original look. In 2000 the City Council was planning its demolition to create a new city centre development but objections were raised to that plan and the campaigners successfully managed to obtain Grade II listing thus ensuring the building’s future.

Saturday 25 May 2019 (0852) – Buses of Stagecoach North West and Preston Bus seen in Preston bus station. Preston’s iconic bus station opened in October 1969 and a leaflet published by Ribble Motor Services for the opening said it was the largest bus station in Britain. Originally it had 80 loading stands. Those on the eastern side (which this is) were used by Ribble, its joint operators and by other express service, tour and excursion operators. These stands were numbered 41 to 80 towards the camera but now the numbers run from 1 to 39 in the opposite direction. The bays on the western side were numbered 1 to 40 and were primarily used by the buses of Preston Corporation Transport (plus Ribble on some joint services they worked with PCT). This part of the bus station is no longer used by buses and is being redeveloped. The ground level passenger concourse is topped by a multi-storey car park with each deck featuring upturned fluted curves giving the building a most original look. In 2000 the City Council was planning its demolition to create a new city centre development but objections were raised to that plan and the campaigners successfully managed to obtain Grade II listing thus ensuring the building’s future.

Saturday 25 May 2019 (0852) – One Stagecoach North West and five Preston Bus vehicles seen in Preston bus station. Preston’s iconic bus station opened in October 1969 and a leaflet published by Ribble Motor Services for the opening said it was the largest bus station in Britain. Originally it had 80 loading stands. Those on the eastern side (which this is) were used by Ribble, its joint operators and by other express service, tour and excursion operators. These stands were numbered 41 to 80 towards the camera but now the numbers run from 1 to 39 in the opposite direction. The bays on the western side were numbered 1 to 40 and were primarily used by the buses of Preston Corporation Transport (plus Ribble on some joint services they worked with PCT). This part of the bus station is no longer used by buses and is being redeveloped. The ground level passenger concourse is topped by a multi-storey car park with each deck featuring upturned fluted curves giving the building a most original look. In 2000 the City Council was planning its demolition to create a new city centre development but objections were raised to that plan and the campaigners successfully managed to obtain Grade II listing thus ensuring the building’s future.

Saturday 25 May 2019 (0853) – Stagecoach North West 47334 (PX06 FYE), an Optare Solo new July 2006, and Preston Bus 40622 (PF13 XAC), a Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B5LH new in April 2013, seen leaving Preston bus station. Preston’s iconic bus station opened in October 1969 and a leaflet published by Ribble Motor Services for the opening said it was the largest bus station in Britain. The ground level passenger concourse is topped by a multi-storey car park with each deck featuring upturned fluted curves giving the building a most original look. In 2000 the City Council was planning its demolition to create a new city centre development but objections were raised to that plan and the campaigners successfully managed to obtain Grade II listing thus ensuring the building’s future.

Saturday 25 May 2019 (0908) – Transdev ((Blackburn Bus Company?) 2761 (PJ05 ZWH) seen leaving Preston bus station for Burnley on the 0905 service 152 now branded ‘Hotline’. It is a Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B7TL new in August 2005.

Saturday 25 May 2019 (0900) – Preston bus station, Lancashire. Stagecoach North West 15246 (YN65 XEX), an Alexander Dennis Enviro400 bodied Scania N230UD new in October 2015, loading as the 06900 service 125 for Bolton. Transdev ((Blackburn Bus Company?) 2761 (PJ05 ZWH), a Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B7TL new in August 2005, loading as the 0905 ‘Hotline’ service 152 for Burnley.

Saturday 25 May 2019 (0915) – A varied mix of advertising carried by Stagecoach North West 15913 (PE13 LSZ) seen in Preston bus station. It is an Alexander Dennis Enviro400 bodied Scania N230UD new in June 2013.

Saturday 25 May 2019 – Stagecoach North West 15579 (PX59 CTO) seen in Preston bus station. It is an Alexander Dennis Enviro400 bodied Scania N230UD new in November 2009 with a rear panel advert extolling the delights of Blackpool.

Saturday 25 May 2019 (0853) – Preston Bus 32301 (SK16 GXO), a Wright Streetlite DF new in April 2016, seen leaving Preston bus station. Preston Bus became part of the Rotala Group in 2011. Preston’s iconic bus station opened in October 1969 and a leaflet published by Ribble Motor Services for the opening said it was the largest bus station in Britain. Originally it had 80 loading stands. Those on the eastern side (which this is) were used by Ribble, its joint operators and by other express service, tour and excursion operators. These stands were numbered 41 to 80 towards the camera but now the numbers run from 1 to 39 in the opposite direction. The bays on the western side were numbered 1 to 40 and were primarily used by the buses of Preston Corporation Transport (plus Ribble on some joint services they worked with PCT). This part of the bus station is no longer used by buses and is being redeveloped. The ground level passenger concourse is topped by a multi-storey car park with each deck featuring upturned fluted curves giving the building a most original look. In 2000 the City Council was planning its demolition to create a new city centre development but objections were raised to that plan and the campaigners successfully managed to obtain Grade II listing thus ensuring the building’s future.

Saturday 25 May 2019 (0853) – Preston Bus 32301 (SK16 GXO), a Wright Streetlite DF new in April 2016, seen leaving Preston bus station. Preston Bus became part of the Rotala Group in 2011. Preston’s iconic bus station opened in October 1969 and a leaflet published by Ribble Motor Services for the opening said it was the largest bus station in Britain. The ground level passenger concourse is topped by a multi-storey car park with each deck featuring upturned fluted curves giving the building a most original look. In 2000 the City Council was planning its demolition to create a new city centre development but objections were raised to that plan and the campaigners successfully managed to obtain Grade II listing thus ensuring the building’s future.

Saturday 25 May 2019 (0855) –Preston Bus 20787 (PO56 RRY), an Optare Solo new in October 2006, seen departing Preston bus station. In the background are other vehicles of Preston Bus and Stagecoach North West. Preston’s iconic bus station opened in October 1969 and a leaflet published by Ribble Motor Services for the opening said it was the largest bus station in Britain. Originally it had 80 loading stands. Those on the eastern side (which this is) were used by Ribble, its joint operators and by other express service, tour and excursion operators. These stands were numbered 41 to 80 towards the camera but now the numbers run from 1 to 39 in the opposite direction. The bays on the western side were numbered 1 to 40 and were primarily used by the buses of Preston Corporation Transport (plus Ribble on some joint services they worked with PCT). This part of the bus station is no longer used by buses and is being redeveloped. The ground level passenger concourse is topped by a multi-storey car park with each deck featuring upturned fluted curves giving the building a most original look. In 2000 the City Council was planning its demolition to create a new city centre development but objections were raised to that plan and the campaigners successfully managed to obtain Grade II listing thus ensuring the building’s future.

Saturday 25 May 2019 (0851) – Preston Bus 40606 (PR62 TON) (a play on PRES TON), a Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B5LH new in January 2013, seen arriving at Preston bus station. Preston Bus became part of the Rotala Group in 2011.

Saturday 25 May 2019 (0859) – Preston Bus Wright Eclipse Gemini double deckers seen in Preston bus station. The iconic bus station opened in October 1969 and a leaflet published by Ribble Motor Services for the opening said it was the largest bus station in Britain. Originally it had 80 loading stands. The ground level passenger concourse is topped by a multi-storey car park with each deck featuring upturned fluted curves giving the building a most original look. In 2000 the City Council was planning its demolition to create a new city centre development but objections were raised to that plan and the campaigners successfully managed to obtain Grade II listing thus ensuring the building’s future.

Saturday 25 May 2019 (0859) – Preston Bus 40606 (PR62 TON) (a play on PRES TON), a Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B5LH new in January 2013, seen in Preston bus station. Preston Bus became part of the Rotala Group in 2011.

Saturday 25 May 2019 (0908) – Preston Bus 32305 (SK16 GXT), a Wright Streetlite DF new in April 2016, seen leaving Preston bus station. Preston Bus became part of the Rotala Group in 2011.

Saturday 25 May 2019 (0917) – Preston Bus 33001 (BT11 UWF), a Mercedes-Benz O 530 Citaro new in June 2009 to Dunn Line of Heanor, seen reversing of Stand 38 in Preston bus station. It was working the 0915 service 280 to Clitheroe. I believe this service ceased to operate a few weeks later. Preston Bus became part of the Rotala Group in 2011.