Routemaster returns to the Promenade

521 at Gynn Square. Thanks to Alan Robson for the photo  - see his Blackpool tram blog for more.

Former Blackpool Routemaster 521 (583CLT) has entered service with Oakwood Travel operating a private hire at the weekend followed by spending Tuesday on service 12. While with Blackpool Transport 521 was no stranger to their former Promenade service 40. Owned by Lancastrian Transport Trust since 2003, 521 has been under a protracted overhaul since 2010. Now in competition with its former owner it has lost its Blackpool Transport fleet names.

Of the other Routemasters, 523-6 are with Tower Transit for Heritage route 9 in London, though this operation is under threat. 531/3 are with Stagecoach London for the 15. 522 is preserved in London refurbished condition, with 528- 530 and 534 in other heritage hire fleets. 527 was exported to Poland several years ago.

Excels retired

Three Optare Excels are now in store, 210/2/3. No further DDA conversions are planned suggesting some may be retired before the compliance deadline of December 2015.

342 has received its second repaint in black and yellow with ex Anglian Volvo 521 now being treated.  Trident 313 is receiving an all over advert for Sands Venue

Service Changes

A number of minor service changes take place in June and July as summarised below:

Blackpool Transport Service 1 8 June 
Frequency increased to every 15 minutes from 0751 to 1736 from Starr Gate and between 0859 and 1829 from Fleetwood using 9 buses (increase from 7). 

Oakwood Travel Service 12 1 July 
Extension to Cleveleys. Note that the service operates daily from 24 May.

Blackpool Transport Services 34A-34D 8 June

These little known early morning circular routes, primarily for staff purposes are withdrawn from 8 June. 

Stagecoach Service 86 8 June

Revert to previous route via Thornton and increased to every 90 minutes Mon-Sat daytimes using three buses interworked with 89/89H at Knott End.

Stagecoach Service 89 8 June

Increased to 90 minutes but some journeys run as 89H via Royal Lancaster Infirmary Grounds.

May Round Up

Blackpool Transport Solo 288 and Trident 337 have received second repaints in fleet livery, both featuring the new fleetname. 

Preserved Delta 133 and PD3 501 provided the Beer and Buses event at the Fylde Tramway Society convention on Saturday 3rd May. 

Blackpool Transport Volvo Olympian 375 attended the Blackpool Vehicle Preservation Groups rally at Fleetwood on 4th May

Oakwood has completed the repaint of newly purchased Dart R356LER into the Catch 22 livery. Former Blackpool Routemaster 521 (583CLT) is being prepared for use, with its former operators names removed. 

School services with operator changes in April appear to be bedded down. Bradshaws Travel of Over Wyre has trumped most with the arrival of X38UAO - a new to Dublin Bus (00-D-40009) Dennis Trident for the 841 (Fleetwood to St Aidan's School, Preesall). It retains the orange of former operator Yelloway, Rochdale.