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. Their Blackpool buses network is one of the best in the country and combined with the Blackpool trams provides excellent transport around the town.
The current, new fleet of latest-spec Enviro buses will soon be changing to a new fleet of electric vehicles. Book tickets and follow your bus via the app, and look out for new real-time signage. Carrying 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 Resort Rider Bus Routes
Exploring the best that Blackpool has to offer is now easier with the new Blackpool Transport Resort Rider bus routes.
Launched at Easter, the Resort Rider provides a really easy way to explore Blackpool by bus. It’s perfect for holiday makers and day trippers wanting to explore the iconic seaside resort. Routes 1 and 2 provide links to all of the attractions and popular destinations in town. Including the world famous tower, all three piers and Blackpool Zoo!
The 1 route continues to connect a number of popular destinations via the promenade. Including Affinity Outlet Fleetwood, Cleveleys, Norbreck and North Pier. It also stops at Blackpool North Station providing easy ongoing connections for holiday makers and commuters.
The brand new 2 route is an hourly service. It connects Cala Gran Holiday Park, Cleveleys and Norbreck to Blackpool town centre. Plus all three piers, the Pleasure Beach and the zoo.
Enjoy the Sights with Resort Rider
Look out for the Resort Rider name, clearly displayed on the destination blinds of both Route 1 and 2 buses. Climb aboard and know you’re heading in the right direction to enjoy all the sights.
Jamie Swift is Head of Service Delivery at Blackpool Transport. He said ‘At Blackpool Transport we’re dedicated to creating valuable connections between key locations for our customers. The Resort Rider is all about creating positive experiences for holiday makers and day trippers. Plus of course local people who want to explore everything this unique and vibrant coast has to offer.
By travelling on our Resort Rider routes you can guarantee a day full of fun and adventure. Whether you are coming from Fleetwood, Cleveleys, Cala Gran Holiday Park or any of the Promenade hotels, the Resort Rider provides a convenient, hassle-free way to discover the very best of the resort. From shopping to chic restaurants, cafes and bars to stunning seaside views. Plus an array of popular attractions including Blackpool Zoo, The Pleasure Beach, Blackpool Tower and The Sealife Centre. Resort Rider really does have something for everyone.’
Trams to Blackpool North Station
On Sunday 16 June 2024 the new tram extension opened, travelling along Talbot Road to Blackpool North Station. The change comes after the formal opening event on Wednesday 12 June with invited guests and dignitaries.
The previous Layton Tramway Route along Talbot Road closed in 1936. But now you can travel through to Blackpool North Station from the promenade and Fleetwood/Starr Gate. It also means that all passengers who arrive via train will have direct access to the Tramway. To support the additional journeys created by the extension, two new Flexity-2 trams have been added to the running stock.
Updated info on new timetables and frequency can be found here: Enhanced timetable marks the launch of a new era for Blackpool’s trams – Enjoyable Travel Along the Fylde Coast
Reduced Price Fares with Blackpool Transport
Take advantage of the Travel to Work Scheme
The Travel to Work Scheme lets you access all BTS tickets for a discounted price. Use them on all Blackpool Transport buses and Blackpool Trams, to make every journey for a little less.
Are you an employer on the Fylde Coast?
If you’re a business or work in the Fylde Coast with a workforce of more than 5, you can join this scheme to benefit from better value travel. Access non-stop discounts on 1-day, 7-day and 30-day tickets. And get a one-time 50% off an adult day ticket when you first join!
Using public transport provides you and your employees with a host of benefits. From solving parking issues to keeping people healthy and living a more environmentally aware life. The BTS Travel Scheme is another incentive you can share with staff. No subscription or sign-up fees, just better-value travel for local employees. Just fill in this form and Blackpool Transport will email you with further updates.
Here’s a few reasons to join the scheme:
- Completely free to join
- Save over £160 each year
- Unlimited travel across the Fylde Coast
- No parking hassles
- No contract, no strings
- Carbon reduction
- Catch up on ‘me time’ whilst travelling
- Promote better health & wellbeing
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.
If you’re looking for a new challenge look at the openings for multiple roles in Customer Experience, Heritage Team and opportunities to join the frontline team.
Holders of PCV licenses with a valid CPC can start their roles on £25k per year as part of Blackpool Transport’s enhanced wage structure.
The current rate, which could increase pending pay talks, will see holders of a PCV licence, valid CPC and relatable experience start their initial training with a salary of up to £25k per year. The intensive training program with the company’s professional team will have you on the road within three weeks. The average driver at Blackpool Transport currently earns up to £30,000 with overtime available. Don’t forget you can also train to drive the Blackpool trams too!
Blackpool Transport is also looking towards the future introduction of electric buses across the Fylde Coast. The enhanced offering of pay is an opportunity to welcome new colleagues to the business during this exciting and evolving period.
James Clough is Financial and Commercial Director. He said “As a business, we are always looking to improve our services. In January, we plan a change to our network to make customer journeys clear, easy and efficient. To do this successfully, we are looking to enhance our resources of PCV licence holders and have put together an attractive offer to join our team for the exciting developments ahead.”
Interested in applying for Blackpool Transport’s vacancies? Including trainee PCV drivers without a licence. Visit www.blackpooltransport.com/careers for full information and an online application process.
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? You can log into the Blackpool Transport wifi while you’re on the bus. 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 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.
Full details about 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.
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! You can buy a 1 day Rover for £1 or a 7 day Rover for £5.
Blackpool Tram Information
The tramway runs along the Fylde Coast from Starr Gate at the southern boundary of Blackpool. Trams travel 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.
Blackpool Transport gets ‘on board’ the Bystander Green Dot Programme
Blackpool Transport Services Ltd has joined forces to help spread this message across their fleet of vehicles and to users of public transport. The aim of the Bystander Green Dot Programme is to create a safer environment for everyone. ‘Green Dot’ is a prevention strategy that sits under the Blackpool #ItStopsHere movement – a community safety programme for safer streets.
Green Dot is a community responsibility approach. A violence prevention strategy depending on the power of bystanders to prevent violence and shift social and cultural norms. This initiative focuses on reducing the number of people in our community who experience power based personal violence, by mobilising community members as active bystanders. It’s underpinned by the importance of safe intervention, including both direct intervention to disrupt behaviour, or indirect intervention to seek help from a friend or professional.
Bystander Intervention teaches five basic steps:
- Notice the event
- Interpret the situation as a problem
- Assume personal responsibility
- Know how to help
- Step up
Green and Red Dots
The analogy of a green dot is used to illustrate any choice, behaviour, attitude, or statement that promotes safety and can prevent violence. A green dot is simply an individual choice at any given moment to make the community a safer place. Red dots occur when an act of violence or harassment occurs. Before these events, there are often many warning signs.
Back in 2023, Blackpool Council launched a bystander intervention programme. They were the first UK local authority working towards a Bystander Green Dot community. Blackpool Transport is supporting the campaign by promoting a simple message on public transport. One small act can have a big impact to help keep people safe.
Blackpool Public Health’s trainers have provided a Green Dot Briefing which Blackpool Transport has rolled out to all staff. It equips them with the knowledge on how best to deal with any reported incidents by passengers. The ambition is to deliver the training across the whole town. The training was created by Alteristic, a US non-profit consultancy, and launched in 2006 at the University of Kentucky. The training programme explores the barriers that individuals feel may prevent them from intervening.
Blackpool Council’s Public Health team offer regular Green Dot training opportunities to local businesses, organisations, community groups and individuals. To find out more about the training programme, email publichealth@blackpool.gov.uk
Other Blackpool Transport news
Awards for Blackpool Transport
Celebrating Victory in Innovation and Resilience at the 2023 Lancashire Tourism Awards
The Fylde Coast transport operator was awarded the prestigious award at the 2023 Lancashire Tourism Awards on Tuesday 6 February 2024. The Resilience and Innovation award recognises businesses within the tourism industry that have demonstrated great innovation, resilience and adaptation during and after a crisis or period of adversity.
Blackpool Transport’s resilience and innovative initiatives, such as the reimagining of its network and local Travel to Work discounts, have navigated industry challenges and positioned the company as a trailblazer in the field.
Jane Cole is Managing Director for Blackpool Transport Services. She expressed her gratitude, saying, “Receiving the Resilience and Innovation award is a tremendous honour for Blackpool Transport. It reflects the hard work, dedication, and strategic thinking of our entire team. This recognition is not just an award; it is a celebration of our commitment to delivering exceptional services while navigating through challenging times.”
The Lancashire Tourism Awards, known for recognising excellence and innovation in the tourism sector, serves as a benchmark for outstanding achievements across the county. Blackpool Transport’s victory in the Resilience and Innovation category further solidifies its position as a leader in the Fylde Coast’s transport and tourism landscape.
Blackpool Transport wins UK Bus Operator of the Year 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 2022 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.
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.
We Need Your Help
We Need Your Help
