Blackpool Transport Optare Excel 214 (T214HCW) is the latest Excel to be refurbished and is now ready for its engine change - the 11th to be completed. The Excels have had their Euro 2 Cummins B-series units replaced by Euro 3 ISBe units and various other modifications including new CCTV and revised panel fixings. The new engines deliver peak torque at a lower engine speed. 214 is currently in the paint shop to receive the single deck version of the new fleet livery. Trident 341 - the first double deck repaint - is now out of the works but has not yet received its vinyls to complete the livery. A recent Bus and Coach Buyer article reports that Blackpool Tridents 309 and 326 received new engines during autumn 2009 at Cummins in Leeds. These were the first two buses treated under a new "ECO" programme developed by Cummins which provides remanufactured engines for existing buses. Both retain their Euro 3 ISCe units and have delivered improved fuel consumption since their return.
Two Lancashire County Council contract servcies into Blackpool are changing shortly. On Monday 28 June, Kirkby Lonsdale Mini Coaches takes over three evening journeys from Lancaster to Blackpool on otherwise Stagecoach operated service 42. On Sunday 27 June service 74 will lose its evening service from Blackpool to Pheasants Wood due to low usage.
Despite its name Kirkby Lonsdale Mini Coaches is based in Carnforth. It operates a small number of local bus services in the Lancaster and Carnforth areas and mainly uses Merecedes Vario minibuses.
