Red Rocket

MAL49 is testing the route at the Coach Station earlier this summer 

Today has seen the launch of "Red Rocket" by Classic Bus North West. This is an express link from Blackpool Coach Station to Manchester (Chorlton Street) with stops at Yeadon Way car park (for Pleasure Beach) and at Manchester Town Hall. Some buses serve Trafford Centre. Buses run at 0715 (M-F), 0900 and every 90 minutes to 1800 (daily) then 2000 (Fri/Sat) from Blackpool and 0930 and every 90 minutes to 1800 and 2000 from Manchester.

Three ex Go Ahead London Mercedes Benz Artics are used. MAL49 (BD52LNF) has been in Blackpool for several months and has now been joined by MAL41/53 (BD52LNU and BL52ODK). These retain London livery and have not received any branding, fleet names nor destination displays for the service. MAL49 and one other were observed, while Olympian 269 P269PSX also put in an appearance.

Route 22 is understood to gain an evening service from 11 November, while CBNW has also registered route 80 between Blackpool and Preston, covering the current tendered Cumfybus route from Poulton to Preston.