Rosso (bus company)

Rosso is the trading name of Rossendale Transport,[1] a bus operator providing services in Greater Manchester, Lancashire and West Yorkshire. It became a subsidiary of Transdev Blazefield on 12 January 2018, after Rossendale Borough Council members agreed to a sale to them at a meeting on 20 December 2017.[2]

Rosso
Wright Eclipse 2 bodied Volvo B7RLE in Haslingden in May 2011
ParentTransdev Blazefield
Founded1907
HeadquartersHarrogate
Service areaGreater Manchester
Lancashire
West Yorkshire
Service typeBus services
Fleet109 (May 2014)
Chief executiveAlex Hornby
Websiterossobus.com

History
Optare Solo in Bury in June 2008
East Lancs Spryte bodied Dennis Dart SLF in Rawtenstall in September 2008

Rosso can trace its history back to 1907 when both Rawtenstall and Haslingden Corporations (both independently) ran a motor bus within their boroughs. Both undertakings merged in 1968 to form Rossendale Joint Transport Committee and later in 1974 with the local government reorganisation the boroughs were merged, along with Bacup (which was already served by Rossendale buses; Bacup Borough not having its own bus company) and Whitworth to form the present Borough of Rossendale.

To comply with the Transport Act 1985, in 1986 the assets were transferred to a new legal entity.[1]

It expanded over the following 20 years and now operates buses throughout Rossendale, Bury and Rochdale as well as operating into Burnley, Blackburn, Bolton and Todmorden.

Concerns were raised in 2009 about the council's intentions with regards to its continued ownership of the company,[3] culminating in a public protest outside the town hall to dissuade the council from selling.[4] In July 2009 the council announced that it was retaining its ownership of the company, its valuation not having been met by potentially interested parties.[5]

In August 2013, the Rossendale Transport bus network was rebranded (with a new livery design of red, orange, yellow and white) as Rosso.[6] In December 2017, Rosso was sold by the Rossendale Borough Council to Transdev Blazefield.[7][8]

Services

Rosso operates services within the Borough of Rossendale (including the towns of Rawtenstall, Bacup, Whitworth and Haslingden) and into surrounding areas, including Rochdale, Bury, Burnley, Accrington, Blackburn and Todmorden. In recent times, it has also extended operations into Middleton and Oldham. The network of services is branded as Rosso with vehicles and publicity carrying this name.[9]

Depots

Rosso's main depot and office facilities were in Haslingden, which replaced the previous Bacup Road depot in Rawtenstall in September 2008.[10]

The company also operates from a depot on Corporation Road, Rochdale which was established in September 1990 to support new routes introduced in the town following bus deregulation.[11] The site is on the western outskirts of the town centre, located next to the River Roch. Around 40 vehicles are based there.

Shortly after the acquisition by Transdev Blazefield the Haslingden depot was closed, as this was not part of the sale agreement. Its buses were transferred to Transdev's depots at Queensgate, Burnley and Intack, Blackburn.

Rosso's current fleet consists of 109 buses.

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References
  1. Companies House extract company no 2004970 Rossendale Transport Limited
  2. £3 Million investment promised in Rossendale for bus users as Rossendale Borough Council approves the sale of Rosso to Transdev Rossobus 21 December 2017
  3. "Council bosses dispel fears over future of Rossendale Transport". Lancashire Telegraph. 4 March 2009. Retrieved 16 September 2009.
  4. "Rossendale Transport protesters at mayor making". Lancashire Telegraph. 15 May 2009. Retrieved 16 September 2009.
  5. "Rossendale Borough Council and the test marketing of Rossendale Transport Limited" (Press release). Rossendale Borough Council. 28 July 2009. Retrieved 16 September 2009.
  6. New-look fleet of Rossendale buses ready to roll Lancashire Telegraph 21 August 2013
  7. Rosso set to join the Transdev Blazefield family Route One 15 December 2017
  8. £3 million investment promised for Rossendale bus users as Transdev announces takeover plan for council owned operator Transdev 15 December 2017
  9. network map Rosso
  10. "All change at Rawtenstall bus depot". Lancashire Telegraph. 11 September 2008. Retrieved 16 September 2009.
  11. Postlethwaite, p.36

Bibliography
  • Postlethwaite, Harry (2007). Rossendale Transport: A Centenary Celebration 1907–2007. Venture Publications. ISBN 978-1-905304-19-6.
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