Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

I think they should bring Pilkington Buses
back onto the roads!

Okay, so they didnt have supreme buses,
but their drivers were friendly, and down
to earth. And their service was reliable.

Whereas, these big companies (Lancashire
United) have the better buses, but have
the most stuck up, rude drivers ive ever
experienced.

Bring Back Pilkies! Anyone else agree?

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

I dont agree sorry, better off with a stuck up driver driving a safe vehicle than a nice polite one riding around in a death trap in my opinion, plus a few of the drivers on the LU vehicles did come from Pilkies, did they change attitudes as well as jobs?

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

So after all those drivers lost their jobs, their was suddenly plenty of jobs free at Lancashire United. How suprising. And you know for a fact that drivers changed their jobs to another bus company do you? Must of done quite a bit of research on those bus drivers eh. How very interesting.

And I would never call Pilkies buses a death trap.

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

There would be jobs available because they added vehicles to their fleet to put them on the Hyndburn routes
I know of 3, not because I use the buses cause I don't< I know these guys because they have been driving buses round Accrington for years, before Pilky's put their buses (cough) on Accy routes

But with all the faults that have been found on the ministry checks, some serious others only minor, just think what could have happened, thats the way the DOT think of it and thats why they took them off the road, and I for one agree with their decision

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

If you spent £17 every 4 days using Lancashire United (at the age of 16 bare in mind). And could half that, well... say £7 if Pilkingtons were still in operation, I think you would do anything in your power to get them back on the roads.

Well I would. Pilkingtons offered the best service if you ask me. Buses on time. And cheap fares. Something which LU will never experience.

But I respect your opinion.

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

Pilkingtons Buses lost their licence to operate because their fleet was deemed unsafe by D.O.T. inspectors. The D.O.T. take safety of passengers very seriously and the buses just didn't pass inspection criteria.

And before you ask........NO......I am not related to any member of the management of Pilkington's Buses.

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

I agree, just glad I dont have to use the buses at them prices, but being an ex driver myself and seeing some of the things I have seen on the roads safety has to be the most important thing, maybe if they had charged a little more they would have been able to spend a bit more on the maintenance and probably still be in business today

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

I suppose safety is first yes. But prices these days are rediculous.

Are you the administrator of this site?

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

No
Roy Len Mick Wingy might be more but I cant remember

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

Oh. Okay. ........

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

end of the day its a simple thing like anythign

if ur vehicles dont match up to the criteria repeatedly u get struck off the road.

its the same for pilky's and its same for a major car maker who maybe has realised that a certain part is suspect or if the safety groups say a certain car is unsafe.

the fact that there havent been any deaths on any of the buses shows how high the standards are to the fact that these buses didnt injure anyone yet were still deemed unsafe. i'm sure no one was victimising them.

standards are there for a reason if u dont reach them then what else do u expect?

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

If as your profile says, you live in Oswaldtwistle and work at Ossy Mills, why are your bus fares so expensive? Unless you are a student, and only work there part time? In which case I think because you are only sixteen, you may qualify for a reduced fare if you are in full time education.

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

Shouldn't you be walking to work anyway, Thomas? Surely if you live in Ossy you shouldn't need to catch a bus to Ossy Mills, it's not that big a place.

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

Sorry I'm not really involved in the topic but the man made a point, shouldnt poeple question the actual point if they disagreee with it, not his reasons for stating his point?

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

Yes, you're quite right and have made a very good point. As I had no opinion on the point in the first place I decided to join in by questioning the point in the first place! Sorry, what was my point?

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

We used to hire Pilky buses on a regular basis. But due to the number of times they broke down, with up to 40 kids on board, the final straw being one had smoke pouring from the bonnet, we found another company.
Better they are off the road than a serious accident taking place.

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

again...........

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

Many years ago i worked for a bus company (not Pilkies) and i worked in the fitting shop. Part of my job was keeping maintenance records and other records of the buses up to date and we had to keep them up to date because the department of transport could walk in at any time and ask to see them.

Pilkies buses were cheap but when i caught them sometimes i was a bit wary because of working for that bus company i had an idea of things what could go wrong and i got the feeling sometimes Pilkies werent right.

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

How dare you make such a generalisation????? My dad is a driver for LU and was a driver for the old Accy Corporation. He is always polite, friendly and has a laugh with the people who use the buses. He has won countless safe driving awards and awards for being the nicest driver. If my dad has ever been rude to anyone it is because they were rude first.....Just like you have been with this statement..:D

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

a work collegue repeatedly got his wing mirrors knocked off his car by pilkingtons busses that went past his house and when he went to ask the owner of pilkingtons busses if he could have a word with the drivers about driving too close to parked cars the owner simply looked at him and told him to go away

also since pilkingtons busses have been taken off the road we no longer have busses accelorating as fast as they can along the road behind aldi to get back to their depot so in general it has become safer to cross the roads around here

yes yes yes i know not all of their employees drove like idiots but the road behind aldi was more like a race track for busses not a public road in a built up area

got to admit the fares were cheaper and i would never go against the underdog but a company that relies on the public for its income should realy keep good public relations as well as keeping its vehicles safe / upto the required standards

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

No there seems to be a few mis conceptions about here.

Pilkys were warned on NUMEROUS occasions about his buses not meeting the required safety standards.

Pilkys were also warned for not keeping to the agreed timetables.

They didn't 'make their money' from the public, most of the routes were heavily subsidised by the DOT. Without this cash Pilkies wouldn't have gone near most of the out the way routes

Whilst cheap fares are something that people want for it to there has to be the correct form of goverment subsidy. I very rarely use public transport because it a) doesn't run often enough, b) can't get me where I need to go, c) is expensive compared to running my car. If I was to try to get to work on PT I would need to catch teh first train out of Accy and it would get me approx 3 miles from my place of work by 10:45 and cost me £15 return. In my car I can leave home at 6 be at work for just before 7 and it costs me less than £12 including tyres/tax/servicing etc

Thomas, you say you are 16, why not get a moped? They are environmentally friendly, dead cheap to run and give you your independance. They will also teach you road sense that will make it easier for you to pass a car test when you decide to learn to drive.

Ian

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

No. Im not that lazy. I go to college 4 days week. Costing me £17. £7, if Pilkies were still in operation. Ah well.

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

1) Half of the community complain about the mopeds, and stereotype all the drivers as young thugs, constantly breaking the law. So Id rather not.

2) Im nearly 17, and going to learn to drive. No point paying hundreds for a moped.

3) They, more than anything are death traps.

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

[quote=lettie]How dare you make such a generalisation????? My dad is a driver for LU and was a driver for the old Accy Corporation. He is always polite, friendly and has a laugh with the people who use the buses. He has won countless safe driving awards and awards for being the nicest driver. If my dad has ever been rude to anyone it is because they were rude first.....Just like you have been with this statement..:D[/quote

Well said Lettie, I totally agree with you. I served 17 years as a bus driver in Accrington and I found Lettie's dad one of the nicest people that anyone would wish to meet, and I cannot recall personally any incident where I have been rude to passengers but if we were talking about rude passengers then there would not be enough space on this thread to include them, and I am not generalising either. I made a lot of good friends whilst I was on the buses.

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

We saw a bus/car road rage on Rhyddings Street in Ossy this afternoon. The car driver was in the wrong, but got out of his car and pulled the driver from his bus.

All very frightening, and we didn't see how it ended as I managed to nip past all the argy bargy.

Thank goodness for little cars.:)

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

[quote=Ernie]You should come with me and a few other Oswaldtwistle residents for a week or so on the bus runs. Its not just LU. Its the Rossendale bus service aswell. So I suppose I have stereotyped bus drivers for maybe just a minority of rude drivers. I appologise!

It was only yesterday when I arrived at the bus just as it close its doors, the driver was unimpressed and muttered "for f**k sake" under his breath as he had to open the doors again. What an awful shame it must of been for him. I chose not to take the matter to LU. As ive already complained many times.

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

Are there no concessionary fares for students under eighteen anymore?

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

I hope you took a reg number and contacted the Police in case the bus driver was hurt. Drivers like that should be banned.

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

Yes. Its 40p off my £17 every 4 days.

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

Ok that's rubbish. Do you not have a student's union? You should be fighting for fairer fares.

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

Hah. If only it was that easy. Trust me, ive tried everything. Other people at college are having the same problem too, but there is nothing we can do to make bus companies change their fares.

It was only the other day in the Telegraph they said fares were rising. Ah well.

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

Things are sadly worse than when I was a student twenty years ago, but isn't there a student's union you can join?

They used to issue cards to students under eighteen, which entitled me to concessionary fares on the buses.

Twenty years ago students would have been chained to the buses in Blackburn if they'd have tried to stop it. Come on how about a bit of direct action?

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

Haha. Maybe.

The used to be cards. But now they have introduced this stupid EMA system where students who's parents have low income get £30 a week. And students, such as myself get nothing.

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

If you ride with consideration you will not be tarred with the same brush. Good luck in affording insurance at 17, I think you may find £17 a week rather cheap when you start getting insurance quotes. Mopeds aren't death traps in their own right, it takes an idiot of a rider to make them that, perhaps you are scared you will fit that bill?

Have you thought of car/taxi sharing? If three of you are all paying £17 a week I'm sure you will find a taxi firm that will take you for less than £50 a week

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

I take it you mean Moped's when you say Mpoeds?

Anyway, I'll fill you in on some of the facts. I go to college in Rawtenstall. A small college, part of Accrington & Rossendale. Only Media students are situated there, about 17 of us. I am the only one commuting from Oswaldtwistle. So the car run is out of the question, the others are travelling from Burnley and Colne etc.

I also dont have to be wished 'good luck' in affording insurance. What I can and cannot afford (same applies to my parents) has got nothing to do with you or anyone else really. Im sure we will be more than able to afford it, which is why I dont recieve £30 a week EMA from college!

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

Once upon a time (1986) there was a wicked Prime Minister called Margaret who decided the buses were'nt making a big enough profit and some were being subsidised by the local council for routes that were unprofitable, But what about the students consessions and the late night buses? she was asked, "stuff them", she replied "I have my Roller and Chauffeur to take me to the bingo, anyway I'm going to privatise the bus services in this country and make each company compete for their survival". This is why such firms as Pilkingtons could not afford to stay in the running and why you are paying extortionate fares, £17 for a student pass, because there is no subsidy on unprofitable routes unless they are deemed absolutely nessesary by the powers that be who probably don't use the buses themselves anyway.

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

I think the high fares MAY have something to do with spending money on making buses SAFE.....which the people at Pilki's didnt deem important

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

I thought you used to ride you ass to college or was it a donkey? :rolleyes:

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

Hehehe, stop being so touchy, if you are able to afford car insurance then quit bitchin about the cost of your bus fares and and be thankful that you can afford it, when many can't...:D

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

YAWN, you of course never make a spelling mistake or any other for that matter it seems. As it was that particular spelling mistake was live for about 30 seconds as I corrected it when i saw it.

well congratulations on making it to college on your own then. I'm sure you must be the first person ever from accyweb to ever get into such an esteemed place of higher education. Oh sorry, no I forgot I did it years ago to as I also managed with Uni. I also had over 3 miles each way to travel to college which I managed all on my own without any handout from anyone and no, my dad couldn't work because of a medical condition and we didn't have obviously as much money as you(sorry, make that your parents). I had to get a JOB and earn my own money.

I think it is high time you grew up. I have absolutely no interest on how much or how little money you or your parents have. I think you may find the big bad world of work a surprising place when you actually make it to it.

Perhaps you should also be aware of the bozo bin that exists here. It will take only a single click for people to confine you to shouting into an empty room. You may wish to listen to some of the other more experienced posters and tone down your responses or Accyweb may become a very lonely place for you.

Should you wish to take this off accyweb I am happy to chat either over any IM client or even face to face on Saturday night at the meet.

Respectfully yours, etc

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

I take it you mean Mopeds when you say Moped's. Why did the apostrophe make an appearance?

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

ok not sticking up for anyone here but im so very sorry but i cannot stand lancashire united buses! i would rather walk to blakburn or surrounding areas than get on one of those!
my reasons are:
1) very expensive (blackburn buses are cheaper)
2) very rude drivers (who swear at you or maybe its just me when i get one)
3) im probably more comfy sitting on a rock than i am on one of them seats.
4) timetable is horrendous!

i won't drive because i cannot afford to!

the Pilky buses were dangerous though i do have to admit, when i used to go college i used to get that bus everyday and they would go the long way round through oswaldtwistle, going along thwaites road one day and over the speed bumps and my seat collapsed!!! i went right through the seating, yes people piddled themselves laughing but not me until now! as you was coming along union road your head practically hit the roof as they used to go so fast! they were very cheap and it is a shame that they didnt take up the warning the first time and got the buses to scratch they would be on the road now (i think). :D

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

my grandaughter walks from springhill down to the bus stop on blackburn rd ...........& back again in the afternoon .as she is in college in blackburn ..she too does this 4 days Google Page Ranking week ....hail rain or snow, she gets a weekly rover ticket for £11 Google Page Ranking week........ oh by the way i have a car .....but won't take her to the stop or pick her up from it .............when are people supposed to learn independance . can you not get a rover ticket on the rawtenstall buses?

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

2) very rude drivers (who swear at you or maybe its just me when i get one)

Baby Boo.....if they swear at you take their name and report them....and TELL them that you are going to report them. You should not have to put up with abuse from someone who is supposed to be providing a public service.


It is crazy that public transport costs so much money and is so unreliable.
I have travelled all over the world and have experienced some excellent public transport systems, which are reliable and do not cost the earth.
In Australia a first class train ticket on a journey of over 400miles cost just under £30 RETURN. The cities all have free buses......if you live in the suburbs you can buy a train ticket into the city and use your train ticket to access the ferries and buses that run beyond the confines of the city. The government want us all to abandon our cars - they have no chance while the public transport system is so ineficient and expensive.

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

If anyone remembers Accrington's public transport system before 1986 when deregulation came into being, there was a very efficient transport system running from 5.30am till 11.30pm 6 days a week, Sundays started a little later but still ran till 11.30pm, 365 days a year, yes even Christmas Day had a bus service, , All the schools and factories were covered and on Saturday there was a 6 minute service between Accrington and Clayton le Moors. Everyone lost out due to Mrs Thatchers deregulation of public transport act 1985, the public lost a bus service which was reduced to a profit making ratrace with buses racing each other on main roads in order to pick up the most passengers and drivers, mechanics, and cleaners were forced to take pay cuts in order to keep their jobs. What we are seeing now 20 years on is the result of legislation made by the government of the day. I see nothing is really different it has just got worse, and I dont think the present government will make things any better, public transport in this country will be a thing of the past if something is not done to persuade the powers that be that you cannot provide a service and make a profit at the same time.

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

I have a job thank you. My profile will tell you.

Im taking it that was a threat to ban me from the site? Hah. Please.

I agree 100%.

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

and good for you, now you are getting to understand economics as well, job earns money to pay for services, if you don't like services or price of said services you have to find an alternative. now do something about it instead of whingeing.
Nope, I have never even mentioned banning anyone. as it happens I am not a moderator so couldn't do it if I wanted all I would suggest is that when new somewhere it is courteuos to find out the etiquette of that place before you go in all guns blazing. What I was saying is that this forum software allows you to select to ignore people who you feel aren't worth listening to. You are close to going in that bozo bin. The more people you respond to with this sort of childish comment the more that will be ignoring you and you will therefore have no one to whinge to.

Like I said, happy to discuss away from here if you like, my details are all in my profile.

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

I wasnt whingeing. I was clearly stating my opinion.

And your right, you can choose to ignore me. Please feel free. It wouldnt bother me in the slightest to be honest! Dont keep threatening. Do what you want.

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

Thanks, I will, and thanks for defending my right to do just that. :)

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

didnt pilkies have there buses on the road before in the 80's?? what happened to them then?? probably took off cuz there buses where as old as the ark!

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

As I have not fully read all postings just yet I was wondering if I know Ernie and Lettie's dad as I was on HBT 1978-1987 I jumped the sinking ship after 12 months privatization and joined the Ambulance Service.

As to how HBT ran yes it was not the best but it worked and we carried people safely to and from work shops etc.

Sorry to say Thomas but I recall a lady being killed on the crossing in Peel Street by a Pilky bus I know that because I was one of the emergency service workers trying to save her life but sadly I had to convey her to the Mortury at BRI.

Ok the driver admitted that he had been driving without due care but it was still a Pilky Bus

As most of your journey is with Rossendale Transport (or have they been sold out now) do they not have student tickets?????

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

No. No. No. Thank you better safe than sorry.

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

According to this weeks Observer they could me making an apearance back on our roads, more or less got permission now to run 5 buses from their Argyle st depot, will be known as King Travel :eek:

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

And what are they going to be doing and what about the rest of the "fleet?"

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

Any chance I can change my username?Shower of rubbish.

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

I pay £12.50 a week to travel to and from st marys college (£2.50 a day return from accrington)

I wouldn't mind that much BUT... the bus is *always* late, sometimes it is 40minutes late, it has even been known to miss out the main accrington stop. The buses (blackburn transport) are a heap of rubbish, never clean, always full of spit and whatever else from a school run.
Often the windows are jamed open on a cold morning, frozen open before on a very cold morning with all frozen condensation on the roof and stuff. Bloody freezing when you're driving and have that wind blowing at you.

What really ticks me off is the fact that the company still get £2.50 even when they're 40minutes late, because there is nothing we can do except stop paying, but most people don't want to carry out direct action because it causes them too much inconvinence, and unless everyone does it, nothing we can do. Also, a lot of people have bus passes so not taking the bus through direct action wouldnt stop the money..

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

Cyfr get a push bike it would be cheaper and healthier. No reason to be late for lectures either. :D

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

You not gonna tell us anything? do you think they should be allowed back on the road?

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

I've actualy thought of riding to college :p But I always get put off by the distance :p I think i'd die :D

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

probably use them for spare parts for the 5 they are running, we all know how low they like to keep their repair bills :)

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

In a word 'NO'.For many reasons and I won't be explaining them on here.Although it would give me great delight.

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

didn't know pilky buses were back on the road!!

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

When do they come back on the road?

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

They need to apply for their licences then register any routes they wish to run.Maybe up to 3 months.

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

they should if they get somboby to check the bus.aslo some other company that run to blackpool preston have worst old bus then pliky and still running
aslo i would like to have timetable of accy coppraton route before 1986 thank

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

new accy is a pilky or related.What a retard.

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

Thats not nice!

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

I doubt Pilky would do that, he is a great guy.

Re: Accrington Pilkingtons Buses
 

even great guys have bad days lol