Government minister salutes bus firm Rosso’s “huge improvement” as part of Transdev family

Transdev CEO Alex Hornby (left) with Northern Powerhouse Minister, Jake Berry MP (right) in front of a 464 bus

Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry has commended an increase in passengers choosing to travel with bus firm Rosso – just 18 months since it became part of the Transdev family of companies across the north.

Mr Berry, MP for Rossendale and Darwen, is praising the ‘huge improvement’ in the bus operator’s performance, with a 15 per cent increase in the number of customers choosing to travel on the buses, which frequent Rochdale, since joining the Transdev group.

The Minister’s comments follow a meeting with Transdev CEO Alex Hornby in Rawtenstall, including a tour on-board one of Rosso’s new British-built buses, which were launched in 2018 on the popular 464 route between Accrington, Rawtenstall and Rochdale.

Mr Berry said: “Rosso’s success is outstanding, and it’s being achieved by hardworking people who are dedicated to delivering excellent customer service.

“In the last 18 months, the company has benefited from significant investment to improve the quality and reliability of its buses in East Lancashire and Greater Manchester.

“Many more people are now choosing to travel on Rosso’s buses, and that’s very good news for the environment and the economy of our region. The huge improvement achieved since the company became part of Transdev is very impressive, and I welcome its success.”

Transdev CEO Alex Hornby said: “When Rosso joined our family of bus companies 18 months ago, we promised to keep on delivering a better and more reliable service for our customers, and on buses that people want to be seen on.

“The 15 per cent increase in customer numbers travelling with us shows our investment is attracting more people to choose and use the bus – and there’s more to come, as we look to build on Rosso’s impressive performance with further improvements across the region.”

Rosso’s 240 staff and 102 buses became part of Transdev in January 2018 – a move which gave the green light to an immediate £3 million investment in a fleet of 18 new, high-spec buses alongside the extensive refurbishment of a further 20 buses, for its routes in and around Rossendale, Bury and Rochdale.