Going somewhere? Blackpool Transport is the Fylde Coast public transport provider. They are responsible for the service buses and the tramway along the coast. Here’s a brief overview of what, where, why and how – and links to further information.
The Blackpool Transport bus network is one of the best in the country. The current, new fleet of latest-spec Enviro buses will soon be changing to electric. Book tickets and follow your bus via the app, and look out for new real-time signage.
Buses carry over 10 million passengers annually in Blackpool. It’s a great, low-cost way to get from a-b. With a daily or weekly pass it’s an affordable way to get around when you’re on holiday. Hop along the prom from pier-to-pier or get to Stanley Park and the Zoo – there’s a bus for all of them!
New to the area? Not used to public transport? Take a look at Blackpool Transports highlights below (and some recent news) then head off to their website to find out more
New from Blackpool Transport
Fare Capping and Changes
Good news – the £2 single bus fare cap has been extended until June 2023. And from Sunday 2nd April, there’ll be some changes to Blackpool Transport tickets and prices. They will help to maintain the frequency, coverage and quality of the network.
These fare changes are being made to protect the frequency and coverage of the Blackpool Transport network. Without these changes and with operating costs still at an all-time high, Blackpool Transport would have to consider reducing their network, meaning a lower quality service for customers.
There will be changes to Adult, Young Person and Children’s saver tickets and single tram fares. And tickets have been simplified across the range.
Fare Changes in Detail
- Single bus fares will remain capped at £2 until 30th June due to the extension of the DFT fare cap.
- Single child fares are frozen at £1.50.
- 24-hour tickets will decrease in price. They’ll be reduced from £6.60 to £6.00 and become ‘Day Tickets’ valid until the last service that day. Data shows that just 13% of travelling customers used the ‘24 hour’ aspect of the ticket.
- App and onboard ticket prices are now the same. When you buy tickets direct from Blackpool Transport either onboard or via the app, you can guarantee they are the best value.
- From 2nd April, weekly capping will be introduced so if you pay via Tap & Go you’ll never be charged more than the price of a 7 Day ticket within a 7 day period – no matter how many journeys you make.
Customers can view the new fares and read more information at blackpooltransport.com.
Get a ‘Bus 2 Save’ Ticket to Affinity!
Blackpool Transport’s new ‘Bus 2 Save’ ticket gives you 10% off at selected stores at Affinity Outlet, Fleetwood.
Ask any bus driver on the Blackpool Transport network for a ‘Bus 2 Save’ ticket. You can then claim your 10% discount on your next trip to Affinity Outlet. Use it in these stores
Bus Diversions for the Illuminations
The Illuminations light up the famous Golden Mile each autumn – which means that Blackpool is extra busy! So to keep you moving, some of the Blackpool Transport bus routes will be diverted in the town centre during the evenings.
Switch on times change as the nights get darker so bus services will be diverting earlier as Autumn/Winter approaches. It might also mean a change to where you normally catch your bus so make sure to check the list of stopping locations so you’re also in the right place for your journey.
Trams run as normal throughout the illuminations – but they do get busy in the evenings. Please leave yourself plenty of time for your journey.
Real Time Bus Information in the Town Centre
Bus users in Blackpool can now benefit from real-time travel information in the town centre. It’s part of a wider commitment by Blackpool Council and Blackpool Transport Services (BTS) to promote public transport use. Find a state-of-the-art travel screen on Market Street in a prominent shop window, next to popular nearby bus stops.
The screen and software system – funded by the council’s Local Transport Plan – has been installed by Journeo. You’ll also find live travel times for BTS and Stagecoach services displayed. This information was previously only available via the BTS and Stagecoach smartphone apps. It’s an alternative means of communication, especially for non-app users and those without smartphone or internet access.
Getting around with Blackpool Transport Buses and Trams
Getting around Blackpool and the Fylde Coast couldn’t be easier with buses and trams operated by Blackpool Transport.
They’re for local people and tourists, all year round. The great transport network means you get to enjoy everything which Blackpool and the surrounding areas have to offer. It’s a cost-effective way of travelling around the Fylde Coast. Easy to follow timetables make your journey easy and pleasurable.
New to the area? New to buses?
Did you know that you can plan your journey, with clear easy steps, using the Blackpool Transport website?
It’s very similar to using Google maps to plan a route. Tell it where you want to travel from and where you want to go to and it will give you directions, including which transport to catch where.
We asked it to take us from Cleveleys Bus Station to St Annes Station. First of all it gives you a choice of departure/arrival times and shows the route –
We opted for the 7.04 departure time, clicked on that and it told us exactly what to do, including bus numbers and how far we would need to walk. Very clever!
Tickets and Live Updates with the Blackpool Transport App
Do you use the Blackpool Transport app? It’s a great way to plan your journey and buy tickets. It also includes live updates.
With the app you can buy a range of tickets in advance with your smartphone. Then simply activate the ticket just before boarding any Blackpool Transport bus or tram. It also allows you to plan your journey, find the best route and even has a disruptions page.
Did you know? Log into the Blackpool Transport wifi while you’re on the bus, and watch its journey to know exactly where you are. Sort of sat-nav for bus passengers!
Bus Travel Information
Individual timetables, guides to all services and network maps are widely available across the Fylde Coast. Find them at the main Blackpool Transport offices at Rigby Road. You’ll also find printed timetables at community buildings across the Fylde Coast.
- Single bus fares. Click here for current prices
- Saver tickets of various kinds are available for regular travellers (more details below). Click here for details
- Routes and timetables for Blackpool buses here
Concessions: Pass holders of the English Concessionary Travel scheme can travel free on Blackpool Transport buses. Use your pass between 9.30am – 11pm Monday to Friday, anytime on Saturdays and Sunday or Bank Holidays.
Hop on Board with Contactless Travel & Fare Capping
No cash? No problem! You can use contactless payments on Blackpool Transport buses and trams.
And, daily capping means that no matter how many times you travel and tap with us in a day, you’ll never pay more than the cost of a day ticket!
Contactless payment arrived at Blackpool Transport in February 2021 after years of investment. Then in September 2022 daily capping came in on all of your Tap&Go and single contactless fares.
How to use Tap, Cap & Go
- When you board the bus or tram simply tap your contactless payment card or device onto the contactless payment machine. You don’t need to ask for a ticket but remember to smile and say hello!
- When you leave, remember to tap the same card or device you used when you boarded on the ‘tap out’ reader. You will be charged the correct and lowest fare for your single journey every time.
Tap, Cap & Go is for Adult single fares only. If you need a Child or Young Person ticket, just pay onboard using contactless payments or in cash.
Full details about Tap, Cap & Go
Blackpool Transport Hub
Improvement works on Corporation Street returned many routes to the centre of Blackpool. Use the transport and bus hub at Market Street and Corporation Street for inter-connected bus services and travel.
Timetables are available from the Blackpool Transport app and website, Blackpool Transport Customer Centre on Market Street or from the Tourist Information Centre at Festival House.
Dogs on Buses and Trams
Many of you love to take your dog with you onto the trams and buses. Dogs are welcome on Blackpool Transport vehicles. Please keep them on a lead and keep their feet off the seats!
If you travel frequently with your dog you can now buy a 7 Day Rover, a new saver ticket for your pooch. Save 25% of the cost of buying daily tickets for your four legged friend. More information about the 7 Day Rover here
Blackpool Tram Information
The tramway runs along the Fylde Coast from Starr Gate at the southern boundary of Blackpool, along the full length of Blackpool seafront, through Cleveleys to Fleetwood.
We caught a couple of Blackpool trams, running along the promenade at Blackpool. Take a look – this was filmed in July 2020.
Other Blackpool Transport news you might be interested in:
Awards for Blackpool Transport
Blackpool Transport wins UK Bus Operator of the Year 2022
Published November 2022
Not one but TWO prestigious titles were scooped by Blackpool Transport at this year’s UK Bus Awards.
And they’ve been dedicated to the hard working and dependable teams, who continue to keep Blackpool moving despite the challenges of the last few years.
Blackpool Transport are winners of the UK Bus Operator of the Year and Gold Award winners of the Top Shire Operator of the Year. Presented on Tuesday 15 November in London, they’re some of the most prestigious awards in the UK for the industry. Operators from far and wide compete in multiple categories. Blackpool Transport’s win follows a pause in the awards scheme over the last two years as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
James Carney is Finance and Commercial Director at Blackpool Transport Services. He said:
“To be recognised and awarded as the UK Bus Operator of the Year is a true achievement for everyone at Blackpool Transport. Despite still recovering from the pandemic and facing national challenges, the award reflects the ‘going the extra mile’ ethics that our colleagues show daily.
“Every employee of Blackpool Transport, no matter where they are within the business, should be proud that their efforts and dedication has been recognised at a national level.”
The winner of the UK Bus Operator of the Year is selected from the highest-scoring contestants in the Top City Operator, Top Independent Operator and Top Shire Operator Awards.
Blackpool Trams win Most Improved System at Global Light Rail Awards
Published November 2021
The Blackpool Tramway has won the award for the Most Improved System in 2020/21. It was presented at the Honourable Artillery Company in London on Wednesday 6th October.
The award celebrates and rewards the most outstanding contributor to the Global Light Rail industry. The Most Improved System award recognises operators and networks that have made the biggest steps forward over the last 12 months, to deliver excellence within the Light Rail industry.
A recent customer on Blackpool Trams said they are always clean, run regularly and the staff were always helpful.
Ian Middlemiss is Head of Tramway at Blackpool Transport. He said “I’m proud to have accepted this award on behalf of the efforts of every single member of our team. I’m delighted that our collective efforts have been rewarded.”
In 2023, the Tramway extension is set to complete. That will provide an integrated train, tram and bus network for Blackpool.
Blackpool Transport welcomed 15 more high tech buses on Monday 24 June 2019.
Continuous Improvement
In 2016, Blackpool Transport made a commitment to the local authority, the people of Blackpool and the millions of visitors to the town. They said they would implement a continuous replacement programme for the 140-strong bus fleet. Since then, Alexander Dennis (ADL) has supplied 55 Enviro400 City double deckers and 33 Enviro200 single decker buses.
Working closely with Blackpool Transport, ADL has adapted its buses to the operator’s premium ‘Palladium’ standard. There’s free Wi-Fi, e-leather seating, wood effect flooring and both audio and visual stop announcements.
Jobs at Blackpool Transport
It isn’t just about driving at Blackpool Transport. Conductors, Tram Drivers, Engineers, Cleaners and Admin staff all play a key part too.
Keep an eye out for all upcoming vacancies – find them on the website first.
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