New bus service connecting Preston and Chorley launches after 'long-standing' requests from residents
The new bus service responds to ‘long-standing’ requests from local residents.
Communities between Preston and Chorley will be better connected from today (March 30), as a new bus service goes live.
Lancashire County Council is utilising Bus Grant funding from HM Government, to introduce the 124 service from Monday, March 30.
Service 124 introduces new direct public transport links between Preston and Chorley via Bamber Bridge, Gregson Lane, Hoghton and Brindle. Lancashire County Council says it responds to ’long‑standing requests’ from local residents for improved bus connections.
The service will establish a new direct link between Hoghton and Chorley, improving access to key destinations including Chorley Hospital, and will also reinstate a public transport link to Brindle village, which has not had a regular bus service for a number of years.
The service will operate alongside the existing services 112, 113 and 114, adding to bus provision between Preston, Bamber Bridge and Gregson Lane as well along Chorley Old Road.
Service 124 will operate between Preston and Chorley via Bamber Bridge, Gregson Lane, Hoghton, Brindle, Whittle‑le‑Woods and Chorley Hospital, providing a single, direct route without the need to change buses.
The service will initially run every two hours during Monday to Saturday daytime and will be operated by Vision Bus Ltd on behalf of Lancashire County Council.
The new route is being introduced using Bus Grant funding from HM Government, aimed at improving connectivity, supporting access to essential services and making public transport a more convenient option for local journeys.
County Councillor Warren Goldsworthy, cabinet member for Highways and Transport, said: “This new service responds directly to long‑standing requests from local communities for better bus connections.
"By using Bus Grant funding to introduce direct links between Hoghton, Brindle, Chorley and Preston, we’re filling gaps in the network and making it easier for people to access key services, such as Chorley Hospital.”
124 bus service timetable
On weekdays, the first bus from Chorley will leave Chorley Bus Station at 7.42am, with services at 10.12am, 12.12pm, 2.12pm and 4.12pm and 6.12pm.
The first bus from Preston will leave Preston Bus Station at 6.45am, followed by services at 9.10am, 11.10am, 1.10pm, 3.10pm and 5.15pm.
On Saturdays, the first bus from Chorley will leave Chorley Bus Station at 8.12am, with services at 10.12am, 12.12pm, 2.12pm and 4.12pm and 6.12pm.
The first bus from Preston will leave Preston Bus Station at 7.10am, followed by services at 9.10am, 11.10am, 1.10pm, 3.10pm and 5.15pm.