New logo for Blackpool Transport

Dennis Trident 312 in Market Street after its recent repaint, displaying the new look Blackpool Transport logo

Blackpool Transport are beginning to outshop repainted buses with a new logo. The long used tower and waves logo is being ditched for a new look, which replaces the waves of the old logo with a silver, red and yellow 'swoop', in a similar style to the silver and red flash on the side of the buses. Newly repainted Dennis Trident 312 made its debut today on the 14 service displaying the new look.

The new look Blackpool Transport logo on the side of Dennis Trident 312

Red Rocket on the 22

Mercedes-Benz Citaro MAL53 on trial on the Catch 22 service in Clifton Street in Blackpool on 20th January

On Monday 20th January, one of the Red Rocket bendy buses was used as a trial on the Catch 22 service, to see if it is feasible to use these long buses on the urban route between Cleveleys and Mereside. The vehicle chosen for the trial operation was Mercedes-Benz Citaro MAL53 (BL52ODK), which is the only one of the three bendy buses to carry the Red Rocket branding on the front panel. Route number 22 was displayed on the lower left hand side of the windscreen, and a board with Cleveleys on one side and Mereside on the reverse was displayed on the dash panel.

Citaro MAL53 on the Catch 22 passes Blackpool Transport Optare Solo 292 in Talbot Road on 20th January

Red Rocket Citaro MAL53 on Talbot Road in Blackpool about to head north for Cleveleys on 20th January

Mercedes-Benz Citaro MAL53 arrives in Cleveleys with Mereside already display on the destination board

Red Rocket Citaro MAL53 departing Cleveleys bound for Mereside in Blackpool at 10:45 on 20th January

Second ex Harrogate Volvo enters service

Former Transdev Harrogate and District Volvo B6BLE W601CWX making its debut into service on 17th January

Former Transdev Harrogate and District Volvo B6BLE W601CWX has finally entered service on the Fylde. This bus is the sister vehicle to W611CWX, both of which were purchased by Classic Bus North West last October. 611 was put into service almost immediately, but 601 has languished for several months waiting to be submitted for an MOT. The vehicle has now successfully passed its MOT and made its debut into passenger service on the Catch 22 route today. Sister vehicle 611 is scheduled to become the first bus to receive a new paint scheme for vehicles allocated to the Catch 22 service.

Volvo B6BLE W601CWX turning into Anchorsholme Lane on its way to Mereside on the Catch 22 on January 17th

80 Through the Villages

Archway Travel Dart MPD X503WRG seen passing through the Talbot Gateway construction area at 09:45 on 16th Jan

Some photos of the pair of ex Go North East Plaxton bodied Dennis Dart MPDs that Archway Travel have acquired to run on their new service 80 which operates between Blackpool and Preston via Poulton, Great Eccleston, Elswick, Inskip, Catforth and Cottam. The two Darts have vinyls over the front and side destination boxes that read "80 Through the Villages", and carry a destination board displayed on top of the dash panel that reads "Blackpool" on one side and "Preston" on the reverse.

Archway Travel Dennis Dart MPD X502WRG Preston bound on Grange Road in Layton at 12:05 on 16th January

Archway Travel Dennis Dart MPD X502WRG inbound along Talbot Road in Blackpool at 11:45 on 16th January

Weekly Saver Promotion

Flexity 012 at the Tower, showing the weekly Saver adverts that are displayed at one end on both sides of each tram

Blackpool Transport are currently running a promotion for their weekly Saver tickets. The trams and buses are carrying small window stickers promoting Adult, Young Person and Child weekly Saver tickets, the prices being £14, £11 and £7 respectively when bought onboard a tram or bus. There is a discount of fifty pence for the 7 day adult Saver ticket if purchased in advance, either online or at one of the Travel Centres.

Archway takes over Route 80

Former Go North East Dennis Dart X502WRG heading towards Preston on the new Archway Travel operated route 80

On Monday 13th January Archway Travel took over the short lived Service 80 between Blackpool and Preston after Classic Bus North West suddenly terminated operation of the route on 20th December last year, after less than two weeks of running it. Archway have purchased Dennis Darts X502WRG and X503WRG from Go North East in order to operate the service commercially for an initial three month trial basis.

Archway Travel Dennis Dart X502WRG arriving in Blackpool town centre along Talbot Road on Tuesday 14th January

AEC Swift 554 at Rigby Road

Former Lancastrian Transport Trust collection AEC Swift 554 at Rigby Road tram depot in Blackpool on 13th January

A bus which formed part of the Lancastrian Transport Trust collection was spotted in Rigby Road depot on Monday 13th January. Former Blackpool Corporation 1970 AEC Swift No 554 with Marshall bodywork was noted parked at the far side of the tram depot, the reason for it being on BTS premises is not known.