Exciting plans for a multi-million-pound investment in new and better buses, great value tickets which go further for less, and up-to-the-minute technology delivering live departure times, instant journey planning and easy-to-use mobile tickets – just some of the headline improvements on the way for customers in the Rossendale, Bury and Rochdale areas as bus company Rosso joins the Transdev family.

Rosso’s 240 staff and 102 buses became part of Transdev at the weekend – a move which means the green light for an immediate £3 million investment in a fleet of 20 brand new, high-spec vehicles for the East Lancashire company and a programme of vehicle upgrades with the latest customer friendly features.

Transdev has confirmed there’ll be no immediate changes to Rosso routes, times or individual fares – but there are plenty of improvements from day one.

Bus passes are now easier to use – so customers can use them not just on Rosso buses, but also on other Transdev routes in Lancashire and into Manchester. 

Transdev and Rosso smartcards now work on both companies’ buses – and from now on, there’s an easier way to buy and use Rosso tickets, using the Transdev Go app to buy tickets on a mobile phone. Rosso timetables and live departure information will soon be available directly via the app, which can be downloaded free from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

And now that Rosso is part of the Transdev family, Rosso Rover tickets can now be used on a much bigger network of buses – including on Witchway between Rawtenstall and Burnley, and between Bentgate, Haslingden and Accrington on Red Express.

Transdev’s popular Gold season tickets and its Daytripper range of day tickets can also now be used on all Rosso buses – great news for Rossendale passengers travelling into Manchester, who can now complete the journey on one amazing value ticket.

And its Lancashire day and weekly tickets, covering travel in the Red Rose County, are now extended to cover Rochdale and Bury – widening access for work, leisure or shopping to many more destinations across Rossendale and Greater Manchester.

Transdev CEO Alex Hornby was out on Rosso’s buses on day one to welcome customers and staff and to hand deliver new-look timetables. Alex said: “We’re very excited to welcome Rosso to the Transdev family, and to start delivering on our promise to invest significantly and deliver a bright future for the 5.4 million customers a year who travel on Rosso services across Rossendale Borough and Greater Manchester.

“Our track record in East Lancashire and across the North is one of growth, innovation and creating buses that people want to be seen on, and we have exciting plans including immediate investment in new, hi-spec buses.
“In the coming days we’ll be talking and listening to our team at Rosso, our customers and our stakeholders about our investment plans to make sure our bus services reflect the needs of local communities and strengthen the region’s economy. 

 “Many people at Rosso, Rossendale Council and Transdev have worked very hard behind the scenes to make the transfer of Rosso a smooth one, and my thanks go to them. Everyone at Transdev is thrilled to welcome our new customers and colleagues.

“We’re looking forward now to bringing many improvements to our new customers and to attracting more people to use the buses – it’s an exciting new beginning for Rosso, and the start of amazing things to come.”

Leader of Rosendale Council, Cllr Alyson Barnes “I am delighted with the response we have had from residents about the news of the merger, particularly with regard to ticketing options. They are also looking forward to benefiting from investment in fleet and extended services in the future.” 

As part of the transfer arrangements, Transdev is committed to retaining all front-line staff, and will keep the local Rosso brand alongside further local identities for its services, while committing to the use of the modern new bus station currently being built in Rawtenstall.

The Council will also retain ownership of Haslingden depot, in support of its commercial investment strategy.