Local bus firm Rosso shortlisted in UK bus industry’s premier awards

A Rosso 464 bus en-route to Rochdale

Local bus operator Rosso has been shortlisted for in the UK bus industry’s biggest awards celebration of excellence and innovation.

The UK Bus Awards recognise and reward the industry’s finest talents and are hotly contested by hundreds of bus operators across the country.

Rosso’s parent company Transdev is shortlisted in three of the most keenly fought categories in this year’s awards, with the team at Rosso lining up to compete in the ‘Making Buses A Better Choice’ award, recognising projects and innovations which go over and above to help improve bus services, while rewarding initiatives that make the bus a first-choice travel option.

The once-struggling Rosso, which was formerly owned by Rossendale Council, has seen substantial investment in new and revitalised buses since its 240 staff and 102 buses joined the Transdev family of bus operators in January 2018.

Partnerships between the bus firm and local councils, MPs and businesses have helped to deliver a 14% passenger growth on all Rosso routes, and a 43% rise in passengers on its Lakeline service between Rochdale and Hollingworth Lake since its relaunch last May – plus a 36% reduction in customer complaints.

Key improvements on Rosso’s line include 16 new buses introduced on the 464 service between Rochdale and Accrington, upgrading 17 buses to the Euro 6 low emissions standard and offering free Wi-Fi and USB power points on 43 of its fleet.

Transdev CEO Alex Hornby said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to see our great team at Rosso being chosen to compete on the national stage for these prestigious awards, which recognise the great innovation, talent and pride driving our bus industry forward throughout the UK. We’re very proud of our success at Rosso, and grateful to every single one of our amazing people for all they do to look after the growing number of customers choosing to travel with us.

“I’m also delighted to see our talented people deservedly lined up with the nation’s finest as they continue to deliver amazing customer service in Lancashire and Greater Manchester, and right across the North.

“We’re earning a reputation as one of the UK’s most innovative and successful transport operators, and as ever, our customers are at the heart of everything we do.”

Transdev’s teams will now head to London for the UK Bus Awards finals, to be held on Tuesday 19 November 2019.