Blackpool Trams News

[Old Yard Dog]

With Bradford playing on Friday, I was thinking of going to Blackpool on Saturday to watch the Stevenage game, cop the Blackpool North tram extension and see the illuminations.

But are modern trams any use for seeing the lights? The last time I went on one, it was very brightly lit inside and the views from many of the windows were obscured by meshes of closely spaced dots, the back sides of external adverts. And with single deckers and only a 15 min frequency, it may be standing room only. Has anybody got any experience to share?

 

[daodao]

But are modern trams any use for seeing the lights? The last time I went on one, it was very brightly lit inside and the views from many of the windows were obscured by meshes of closely spaced dots, the back sides of external adverts. And with single deckers and only a 15 min frequency, it may be standing room only.

No, for the reasons you have stated, from personal experience some years ago. In the absence of the double-deck balloons, you would be best walking one way along the promenade to see the illuminations and just getting a tram merely for the return journey to your starting point.

 

[Cliveblackpool]

Sunday 05/01/25 No trams running atm
Buses on most routes running normal service, a few roads, Tesco etc, are not accessible.
Few pictures and information from Podbabba -

 

[Northerngirl]

Sunday 05/01/25 No trams running atm
Buses on most routes running normal service, a few roads, Tesco etc, are not accessible.
Few pictures and information from Podbabba -

They have clearly been inspired northerns inability to run in weather, having no customer service is inexcusable either

 

[Tramfan]

Seems to be an amended timetable showing as upcoming for the tramway, albeit only seemingly showing as running from 6th to 13th April.

Assuming this is a precursor to the timetable we can expect for the season, it looks to be bringing back the split services to North Station, albeit without the T1/T2/T3 numbering, with a 20 minute Starr Gate to Fleetwood service mixed in with a 20 minute North Station to Fleetwood and North Station to Starr Gate service. Disappointing that the through service is reduced again, but at least the North Station services are evenly split with the through service this time (none of that bizarre 25/5 split we saw last year!)

A few points on the early morning service as well - this appears to be improved on weekdays and Saturdays, with the Saturday showing as starting at 05:00, rather than the usual 06:00, and the 10 minute frequency begins pretty early.

Evening services are changed again, with the daytime split services disappearing, instead we have a 30 minute through service Starr Gate to Fleetwood, mixed with a 30 minute Starr Gate to Fleetwood via North Station service.

From a quick look through the timetable, the daytime service looks to require 13 trams, the evening service requires 9. Journey times appear to have been accelerated again in order to reduce the number of trams required - hopefully timekeeping isn't an issue.

Link here to an example day: Blackpool Tram Timetable 7th April

 

[davehsug]

Seems to be an amended timetable showing as upcoming for the tramway, albeit only seemingly showing as running from 6th to 13th April.

Assuming this is a precursor to the timetable we can expect for the season, it looks to be bringing back the split services to North Station, albeit without the T1/T2/T3 numbering, with a 20 minute Starr Gate to Fleetwood service mixed in with a 20 minute North Station to Fleetwood and North Station to Starr Gate service. Disappointing that the through service is reduced again, but at least the North Station services are evenly split with the through service this time (none of that bizarre 25/5 split we saw last year!)

A few points on the early morning service as well - this appears to be improved on weekdays and Saturdays, with the Saturday showing as starting at 05:00, rather than the usual 06:00, and the 10 minute frequency begins pretty early.

Evening services are changed again, with the daytime split services disappearing, instead we have a 30 minute through service Starr Gate to Fleetwood, mixed with a 30 minute Starr Gate to Fleetwood via North Station service.

From a quick look through the timetable, the daytime service looks to require 13 trams, the evening service requires 9. Journey times appear to have been accelerated again in order to reduce the number of trams required - hopefully timekeeping isn't an issue.

Link here to an example day: Blackpool Tram Timetable 7th April

Very disappointing Tramfan. After BT spoke of imptovements for summer 25, I really hoped the end to end frequency, whether via North Station or not, would be improved. Sounds like more of the same hanging around for a tram travelling across the Talbot Road extension.

 

[MDB1images]

015 seems to have failed near North Pier, presume it spent saturday night out, was still in same position 5pm Sunday(except with fitters on it)as it was at 9pm Sat night.

 

[Harvey B]

Seems to be an amended timetable showing as upcoming for the tramway, albeit only seemingly showing as running from 6th to 13th April.

Assuming this is a precursor to the timetable we can expect for the season, it looks to be bringing back the split services to North Station, albeit without the T1/T2/T3 numbering, with a 20 minute Starr Gate to Fleetwood service mixed in with a 20 minute North Station to Fleetwood and North Station to Starr Gate service. Disappointing that the through service is reduced again, but at least the North Station services are evenly split with the through service this time (none of that bizarre 25/5 split we saw last year!)

A few points on the early morning service as well - this appears to be improved on weekdays and Saturdays, with the Saturday showing as starting at 05:00, rather than the usual 06:00, and the 10 minute frequency begins pretty early.

Evening services are changed again, with the daytime split services disappearing, instead we have a 30 minute through service Starr Gate to Fleetwood, mixed with a 30 minute Starr Gate to Fleetwood via North Station service.

From a quick look through the timetable, the daytime service looks to require 13 trams, the evening service requires 9. Journey times appear to have been accelerated again in order to reduce the number of trams required - hopefully timekeeping isn't an issue.

Link here to an example day: Blackpool Tram Timetable 7th April

The new Tram timetable is disappointing to say the least. It might be an upgrade compared to last Summer, but it’s a massive downgrade compared to the current Winter Timetable

All daytime North Station Services will be Terminating there, and then head back in the same direction that they came – meaning that a North Station Service from Fleetwood will head back North, instead of continuing south to Starr Gate. (The same Goes for North Station services from Starr Gate).

Once again. There hasn’t been a single consideration for Tourists staying in the Hotels on North Shore.

If you’re going to the Pleasure Beach from Cabin, you are then faced with the Following 2 options- Neither of them are practical, or ideal:
*Option 1- Wait 20 minutes for the next Starr Gate Tram & take that to the Pleasure Beach.

*Option 2 – Wait 10 minutes for the North Station Tram. Wait an additional 15 minutes at North Station for the Starr Gate Tram & take that to the Pleasure Beach – This would increase your Journey by an additional 10 minutes than if you chose to wait for the Starr Gate Tram at the outset

The new Timetable is a Shambles and it needs to be reviewed. I have a few alternative timetables in mind. Given that Flexity 005 is out of Service Long Term, the PVR needs to be no higher than 15 Vehicles


*Option 1

Spoiler: Option 1

keep the current 15 minute timetable in place.

*Option 2

Spoiler: Option 2

Increase the Service Frequency to every 10 minutes, with every service being Starr Gate to Fleetwood – Via North Station

*Option 3

Spoiler: Option 3

Starr Gate to Fleetwood via North Station – Every 20 mins; Alternating with a Direct Pleasure Beach to Bispham service – Every Overlapping 20mins

*Option 4

Spoiler: Option 4

Bring in the new Timetable as intended – but add in a Half Hourly direct service between Pleasure Beach & Bispham to plug the gap created by the North Station Trams (a Shuttle service between Cabin & Tower could be a sufficient alternative to this)

*Option 5

Spoiler: Option 5

Starr Gate to Fleetwood via North Station – Every 20 mins, Alternating with a Starr Gate to Fleetwood (Direct) – Every overlapping 20mins.

Given that there's also no Heritage Trams running this year, I would also find a way to utilise the B Fleet Balloons in some regular capacity during weekends & School Holidays

 

[Towers]

015 seems to have failed near North Pier, presume it spent saturday night out, was still in same position 5pm Sunday(except with fitters on it)as it was at 9pm Sat night.

Are you sure that isn’t just the scheduled timetable frequency?

 

[Harvey B]

Now that the new Timetable has been in place for a few days, What is Everyone's thoughts on it?

I'll link the PDF in case anyone hasn't seen it: https://images.blackpooltransport.com/downloads/BPTramway_A4Leaflet_April2025.pdf

 

[Harvey B]

It's been a Couple of weeks since the New Timetable has been brought in.

How is everyone finding it so far?

 

[davehsug]

Just back from a few days in Blackpool, and I have to say that the new timetable is a vast improvement on last year's. Yes loadings were still heavy to Fleetwood and Cleveleys on Tuesday & Wednesday mornigs, but they would be whatever you tried. Generally although there was plenty of standing, the trams I was on never had to pass a stop and when heading North, once past Tower, you could be fairly confident that the tram wouldn't get much fuller, as the tram from North Station would have arrived with lots of space. Coming Southbound if you didn't have to travel past Talbot Square, it made sense to catch a North Station tram, as lots of people let them pass, wishing to travel further South.
All in all, much better, removing that horrible 30 minute wait from the South.

 

[Harvey B]

Just back from a few days in Blackpool, and I have to say that the new timetable is a vast improvement on last year's.

It's a vast improvement on last Summer's timetable for sure.

However, it's still a massive downgrade compared to the winter timetable.

A flat, 15 minute service (via North Station) is far better than alternating between a direct, end to end service (avoiding North Station) every 20 mins, & terminating at North Station every alternating 20 mins, & going back to Fleetwood*

*If the North Station Tram starts at Fleetwood, It will go back to Fleetwood.- The same applies for Starr Gat Trams - If they terminate at North station, they'll go back to Starr Gate

 

[philthetube]

I think this timetable is much better as well, a large majority of passengers from either end are travelling into Blackpool, so a station service suits many of them, Timetabling would not allow services running through via the station without either long stays at the station or irregular services on the main route.

 

[davehsug]

It's a vast improvement on last Summer's timetable for sure.

However, it's still a massive downgrade compared to the winter timetable.

A flat, 15 minute service (via North Station) is far better than alternating between a direct, end to end service (avoiding North Station) every 20 mins, & terminating at North Station every alternating 20 mins, & going back to Fleetwood*

*If the North Station Tram starts at Fleetwood, It will go back to Fleetwood.- The same applies for Starr Gat Trams - If they terminate at North station, they'll go back to Starr Gate

I did intend to visit during the winter but health issues prevented it, so I could only comment on what I experienced. It's true to say that the town as a whole seemed quiter than I've usually found during this week (I go the same times every year mostly), but for me personallly, the service was adequate. Whether it will cope as well during July-October is another question.

 

[Kite159]

One thing I noticed yesterday afternoon/evening, is that the Fleetwood - Starr Gate trams seemed to be more busy than the trams to the station.

 

[davehsug]

Just returned from another few days in Blackpool. Seems to me that the new timetable is still holding up pretty well. Loadings were generally short of the crush of last year. I did notice that it always seemed to be the North Station Fleetwood route that had timing issues, with lots of late running. I haven't checked in detail but I assume timings are quite tight.
I didn't notice in May how frequently trams swap routes. There are frequent instances where a tram would come in to North Station from Fleetwood, and depart for Starr Gate and on a couple of occasions, I was onm a tram from Fleetwood to Starr Gate, which then left Starr Gate for North Station.
There seemed to be a lot of new guards, some being supervised, so it seems that BT are sorting out their staffing issues, and I heard a couple of the older ones talking about starting driver training.
All in all a big improvement over last years, at times, chaotic system and things look quite good for a good summer & illuminations season.

 

[Tramfan]

Just returned from another few days in Blackpool. Seems to me that the new timetable is still holding up pretty well. Loadings were generally short of the crush of last year. I did notice that it always seemed to be the North Station Fleetwood route that had timing issues, with lots of late running. I haven't checked in detail but I assume timings are quite tight.
I didn't notice in May how frequently trams swap routes. There are frequent instances where a tram would come in to North Station from Fleetwood, and depart for Starr Gate and on a couple of occasions, I was onm a tram from Fleetwood to Starr Gate, which then left Starr Gate for North Station.
There seemed to be a lot of new guards, some being supervised, so it seems that BT are sorting out their staffing issues, and I heard a couple of the older ones talking about starting driver training.
All in all a big improvement over last years, at times, chaotic system and things look quite good for a good summer & illuminations season.

Running times were cut when the current timetable came into force, presumably to achieve the 10 minute frequency in as efficient a manner as possible. I have also noticed that timekeeping has therefore been quite poor at times, but it can be a hard balance to achieve - in previous years it was not uncommon for trams to reach timing points up to 5 mins early and to have to sit and wait time.

Unlike last year's initial North Station timetable with the distinct T1/T2/T3 service numbers which saw trams (generally) stick to that route all day, the 10 minute frequency timetable does indeed see trams interworking across all three routes. The pattern for each tram should be Starr Gate to North Station, back to Starr Gate, to Fleetwood, to North Station, back to Fleetwood, then Starr Gate. The biggest issue with this has been when there have been cancellations due to both staffing and vehicle availability issues, whereby nothing is self-contained, so you can end up with 40 minute gaps on the direct service which is not ideal.

 

[davehsug]

Just returned from a few more days in Blackpool. Town quite busy, especially with the good weather over the weekend, and it seemed to me that the service was holding up well. Heavy loading, especially on Tuesday and some late running, even noticed a couple of trams turned at Ash Street to get some time back.There seemed to be a lot of new guards and some obviously being trained, along with driver training vehicles. I don't know if there are to be any service enhancements for the imminent illuminations, or if there will be specials. Obviously the big test for the "new" timetable will be illumination weekends, but even in the old days, however many trams you put out was never enough!
What was especially noticeable was the high number of passengers already on board by the time a tram arrived at South Pier. The new and better quality hotels South of the Pleasure Beach, have obviously boosted what has been the quietest part of the system for the past few decades.

 

[cool110]

Update on the return of the heritage trams. Balloon 717 and illuminated 736 - HMS Blackpool have been inspected and cleared to re-enter service. First tours are planned for the start of the Lightpool festival on the 15th of October.

https://www.blackpooltransport.com/historic-trams-line-lightpool-return

 

[tram21]

Update on the return of the heritage trams. Balloon 717 and illuminated 736 - HMS Blackpool have been inspected and cleared to re-enter service. First tours are planned for the start of the Lightpool festival on the 15th of October.

https://www.blackpooltransport.com/historic-trams-line-lightpool-return

Doesn't sound too hopeful that they'll continue past that date...

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

Doesn't sound too hopeful that they'll continue past that date...

It does say the 'first' of the heritage trams to be restored, so some hope maybe. There is also an implied swipe at the previous heritage operation and that regular BT crews are to be used for these runs.

 

[Towers]

It does say the 'first' of the heritage trams to be restored, so some hope maybe. There is also an implied swipe at the previous heritage operation and that regular BT crews are to be used for these runs.

“The latest industry regulations” - the ones regarding complex and expensive safety systems that the ORR specifically said weren’t necessary for the heritage operations?

Anyway, a positive step by any measure, at long last. I do wonder how this will affect the financial viability however, and indeed the enthusiasm of those crewing the cars. Hopefully all will be well.

 

[davehsug]

Having not operated South of North Pier all day, the whole tram service has been suspended this evening, due to Amy. The website says that they are NOT running replacement buses.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Oct 2025 ==

Service restarted at around 4.30 pm Sunday.

 

[MikeWM]

Winter timetable starts on Sunday:

https://www.blackpooltransport.com/blackpool-tramway-launch-winter-timetable

Rather better than last year for the core route - keeps a 10-minute frequency, with one in 3 journeys detouring via North. Big drop for services at North though (was every 15 minutes last winter, currently every 20, will now be only every 30). Two an hour terminate/start at the Pleasure Beach, so Starr Gate only gets a 15-minute frequency.

 

[davehsug]

I notice that the last few services from Fleetwood are not timetabled? So presumably, just run as fast as possible, and you take a chance on catching them. Is that the current situation?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I notice that the last few services from Fleetwood are not timetabled? So presumably, just run as fast as possible, and you take a chance on catching them. Is that the current situation?

Perhaps it might be worth asking Blackpool Transport for the reasoning behind that, as they control the timetabling.

 

[Jonathan Lynch]

detailed at the foot of the timetable

 

[Tramfan]

I notice that the last few services from Fleetwood are not timetabled? So presumably, just run as fast as possible, and you take a chance on catching them. Is that the current situation?

Yeah, that's been the case for most of the year I think - the later services (particularly those heading south) will carry very few passengers, so they cam effectively be sped up and work within the crew duties

 

[Jim James]

Blackpool transport made an almost £1.4M loss in its last set of accounts, The Borough council is have to underwrite it