Yutong E9L Electric Demonstrator on the Fylde

Yutong E9L YE74 VGO in Cleveleys on its way to Poulton, apparently via Fakenham in Norfolk!

A battery electric Yutong E9L demonstrator (YE74 VGO) has been running on various Transporabus routes this week. The Yutong is being given a short trial on a few local services, notably the 24 and 26 so far. Today it was shadowing the regular service 24 buses, shuttling backwards and forwards between Cleveleys and Poulton, giving local residents a chance to sample a true 21st Century bus, and possibly a taste of the future for us all.

Yutong E9L YE74 VGO outside the Teanlowe Centre in Poulton on 15th October

A rear view of the Yutong E9L at Cleveleys bus station

An interior view of the Yutong E9L at Cleveleys bus station

The Illumination Tours Start

The Frigate at Bispham on 15th October, on the first Illuminations Tour of the 2025 season

The Frigate seen passing south through Bispham at 1845 on 15th October, on the first Illuminations Tour of this very brief season that is taking place during the Lightpool Festival, which runs from 15th October to 1st November.

The Frigate heading back towards the Pleasure Beach at Bispham

The Frigate passing the illuminated tableaux at Bispham

More Trams and Flags

Flexity 012 at Manchester Square on 11th October

Some more photos of Blackpool Flexity trams passing the flags that have recently been erected all along the Central Promenade from the Tower tram stop southwards. Note the yellow public information sign on the traction pole on the photo of Flexity 012 that reads "Two Lines STOP Look out for trams".

011 & 007 passing each other at Manchester Square

Central Promenade bedecked with Flags

Flexity 004 heading south from the Tower tram stop on 10th October

Over the last couple of nights an intrepid group of people have been brightening up the Central Promenade by attaching Union Jacks and Saint George Flags to dozens of lamp posts between the Tower tram stop and Manchester Square. Here are a few photos taken this morning showing trams and flags.

Flexity 006 at the Central Pier tram stop

Flexity 016 and 011 passing at the Manchester Square stop

Flexity 017 heading south at Central Pier

Former Northstar Enviro200 on Service 24

YX11 FZA on Trunnah Road in Thornton on 8th October

A new bus on the Fylde coast today is a two-tone blue ADL Enviro200 (YX11 FZA) which began service with Transporabus on their route 24 this morning. The bus was previously Northstar 201 (K99 NST) of Chester-Le-Street in the North East, being new to London Sovereign in 2011, before transferring to London United in 2019.

YX11 FZA on Queensway in Poulton-le-Fylde

YX11 FZA turning left from Victoria Road into Alexandra Road in Thornton

Second Voodoo Blue bus appears on the 24

YX21 RVK on Cleveleys Promenade approaching the bus station to enter service

Former Cardiff Enviro200 MMC YX21RVK entered service in the new Transporabus route 24 colours this morning. The bus is the second in the Transporabus fleet to be outshopped in the vivid Voodoo Blue colour branding for the 24. YX21RVK was spotted on its first trip in passenger service in the new blue colour scheme, on the 0915 from Cleveleys bus station to Blackpool.

YX21 RVK in Cleveleys at 1415, heading towards Fleetwood

YX21 RVK on Rough Lea Road in Cleveleys

YX21 RVK in Cleveleys bus station ready to enter service

YX21 RVK leaving Cleveleys bus station on the 0915 service 24 to Blackpool

DAF DB250LF makes its first outing on coastal Service 21

DAF LJ51 DKO arriving in Cleveleys on the 0945 service 21 from St Annes on Friday 26th September

DAF DB250LF LJ51 DKO, which is in the Blackpool area for use on the Transpora illuminations tours, made its first daytime outing in passenger service on the route 21 between Cleveleys and St Annes on Friday 26th September. LJ51 DKO was converted to open top condition by TootBus for use on their London sightseeing tours, being new to Arriva London.

LJ51 DKO at Norbreck on the 1030 service 21 from Cleveleys bus station

LJ51 DKO passing Wilton Parade in Blackpool on service 21 to St Annes