Free heritage buses to mark 120 years of Lancashire United

On September 20, vintage buses will run between Bolton, Atherton, and Leigh along the 582 route, marking 120 years of Lancashire United Transport (LUT) and its transition to Greater Manchester Transport (GMT) 50 years ago.

Transport enthusiasts and the public alike are invited to take a step back in time and enjoy a nostalgic journey on these classic vehicles.

Buses in Bolton as The Museum of Transport Greater Manchester has launches a new exhibition. Pictures courtesty of Museum of Transport Greater Manchester

The free service, organised by TransporaBus, will operate every 20 minutes between 11am and 4pm, offering passengers a unique opportunity to relive the past.

LUT was once the largest independent bus operator in the UK, with services reaching Manchester, Bolton, Wigan, St Helens, Warrington, and Blackpool.

Although now a memory, this event allows people to experience the heritage buses on what is now the 582 route between Bolton and Leigh.

The 582 route has a rich history, having run for over 120 years.

New exhibition to open at The Museum of Transport Greater Manchester .Picture of buses in Boton Image: The Museum of Transport Greater Manchester

It has evolved from trams and trolleybuses to today’s Bee Network electric buses, reflecting the broader changes in public transport across the region.

The story of the Bolton to Leigh service began with trams.

The South Lancashire Tramways Company opened a route from Lowton through Leigh and Atherton to Four Lane Ends on October 20, 1902.

Through tram services to Bolton began in June 1909.

Due to financial difficulties, Lancashire United Tramways Ltd was established at the end of 1905, taking control of the South Lancashire operation in January 1906.

The company’s headquarters were moved to offices adjoining its Atherton depot later that year.

New exhibition to open at The Museum of Transport Greater Manchester .Picture of buses in Boton Image: The Museum of Transport Greater Manchester

Motor buses gradually became a more important part of its operations.

LUT’s first bus service attempt was in 1906, with regular bus operations beginning in 1920.

The buses carried the “Lancashire United” name, while trams continued to operate under the South Lancashire name.

Trams between Leigh and Four Lane Ends disappeared in December 1933 and were replaced by trolleybuses.

The trolleybus network also eventually gave way to conventional buses.

The Bolton to Four Lane Ends trolleybus service ended in March 1956, and the remaining South Lancashire trolleybus system closed in August 1958.

LUT became one of the best-known bus operators in the region.

New exhibition to open at The Museum of Transport Greater Manchester .Picture of buses in Boton Image: The Museum of Transport Greater Manchester

Its network stretched across the industrial towns of south Lancashire, with Bolton, Leigh, and Atherton at the heart of its operating territory.

The company was eventually bought by Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive on January 1, 1976.

It continued operating as a subsidiary under its own name until March 31, 1981, when its assets passed to Greater Manchester Transport.

The historic Bolton-Leigh bus link is associated with service 82, the predecessor of today’s 582.

The present Bolton-Atherton-Leigh 582 is considered the modern version of the historic route.

The 582 number itself dates from September 3, 2000, when the recorded route ran from Leigh through Atherton, Over Hulton, and Daubhill to Bolton.

Since September 24, 2023, the route has operated as part of the Bee Network, continuing a public transport connection whose origins stretch back to the tramways of the early 20th century.

As part of Sunday’s celebration, passengers will have the chance to travel on a piece of living history, with heritage buses taking to the roads.

New exhibition to open at The Museum of Transport Greater Manchester .Picture of buses in Boton Image: The Museum of Transport Greater Manchester

The event will not only be a celebration of the past but an opportunity for the public to see how public transport has evolved over the decades.

The heritage bus service offers a rare chance to experience transport history first-hand, providing an enjoyable day out for families, history enthusiasts, and transport fans alike.

The event is a fitting tribute to the enduring legacy of Lancashire United Transport, celebrating its contribution to public transport in the region over the past 120 years.

For more information, visit the TransporaBus Facebook page.