Blackpool Transport Services Ltd

Press Releases

Trams Return to Cleveleys and Fleetwood from Saturday 4 April 2009
Following track renewal work over this winter, the tramway north of Little Bispham is all set to reopen for service to Cleveleys and Fleetwood, in time for Easter and the start of the 2009 summer season.

Blackpool Borough Council has officially handed back the track. Test running took place on Wednesday 2 April and everything was found to be satisfactory along the re-laid track along Kelso Avenue in Cleveleys. Tram service will return to full regular operation on Saturday 4 April.

Please see out timetable section for full details of running times.

Appointment of our new Managing Director (6th March 2009)
Trevor Roberts has been appointed as the new Managing Director of Blackpool Transport with effect from the 1st of June 2009.

Mr Roberts is currently Managing Director at Newport Transport and has been at the Company for eight years. He has transformed Newport Transport during this period, turning round its financial performance and thoroughly modernising its operations. Prior to his appointment at Newport Transport, Trevor Roberts worked as Managing Director of First Group’s Central and Borders Company, as Operations Director of First Edinburgh, Operations Director at Stagecoach Bluebird and Operations Director at Stagecoach Ribble. He has also had spells with GM Buses, Rossendale Transport and the National Bus Company, where he began his career as a Senior Management Trainee.

Trevor Roberts is currently Chairman of the Confederation of Passenger Transport Cymru in Wales, a member of the CPT UK Bus Commission and a main Board member of GoSkills, the Skills Council for the bus, tram and light rail Industry.

Trevor said “I am looking forward to the new opportunities offered at Blackpool and I am particularly excited by the planned developments for the Tram system”.

Councillor Tony Brown, Chair Person of the Board of Blackpool Transport/Metro Coastlines said “we are delighted to have been able to recruit someone with Trevor’s experience and track record. He will undoubtedly be a great asset to the Company and be able to build on the progress that Blackpool Transport has made in the last seven years under Steve Burd’s stewardship.

In the intervening period between now and the 1st of June, Steve Burd will continue to oversee the Company as Managing Director on a part time basis, as part of his phased transfer to his new position as Managing Director of Stagecoach in Warwickshire.

Palatine School sign up for the under-16 passes (6th March 2009)
Following on from the successful under 16 pass pilot scheme, Palatine are the latest school to join this successful promotion. This follows on from the pilot scheme involving Bispham High, Beacon Hill School and more recently Highfield School.

This is a brilliant new way for youngsters to get around town - a pass that given them ultra-low priced bus travel at weekends and during holidays. Metro Coastlines and the young people’s council working in partnership devised the under-16 photocard which enables the holder to purchase a Metro Bus saver, valid for a day on all Metro Coastlines bus services, for just one pound. The Blackpool Young People’s Council believes this will give young people better access to sports halls, leisure facilities and shops than ever before and give them more independence to travel. The only restriction is that this ticket will only be valid until 2200.

The new under-16 card is being produced in conjunction with Blackpool secondary schools – It has been funded with £10,000 from the Blackpool Youth Opportunity Fund applied for by Nicole Burke, a student at St Mary’s School and chair of the Blackpool Young People’s Council. Nicole also liaised with Steve Burd of Metro Coastlines and David Lund, Director of Education, to get this scheme off the ground. The passes are valid until the end of the academic year in which the pupil becomes sixteen, so it also gives students cheaper term-time fares for longer. St Mary’s and St George’s will be the next schools in line to join this fantastic scheme.

Oliver Howarth, Operations Director of Metro Coastlines, said “We hope that the fine example set by the participating schools will encourage others to follow suit. We want to encourage young people to use our bus services and hopefully stay with them instead of getting hooked into car use that in turn causes environmental damage. We believe that parents will welcome the opportunity to let their teenager travel responsibly by bus instead of being driven around by car.”

Highfield Students are on the bus (12th February 2009)
After a successful pilot scheme last year with Bispham High and Beacon Hill High Schools, Highfield High School Students now have their new under-16 bus passes - their ticket to cheaper off-peak travel.

Metro Coastlines and the Blackpool Young People's Council have devised a brilliant new way for youngsters to get around town - a pass that gives them ultra-low-priced bus travel at weekends and during holidays. The under-16 photocard enables the holder to purchase a Metro Bus Saver, valid for a day on all Metro Coastlines bus services, for just one pound. The Blackpool Young People's Council believes this will give young people better access to sports halls, leisure facilities and shops than ever before and give them more independence to travel. The only restriction is that this ticket will only be valid until 2200.

The new under-16 card is being produced in conjunction with Blackpool secondary schools - It has been funded with £10,000 from the Blackpool Youth Opportunity Fund applied for by Nicole Burke, a student at St Mary's School and chair of the Blackpool Young People's Council. Nicole also liased with Steve Burd of Metro Coastlines and David Lund, Director of Education, to get this scheme off the ground. The passes are valid until the end of the academic year in which the pupil becomes sixteen, so it also gives students cheaper term-time fares for longer. It is hoped that pupils from other schools will soon be joining the scheme.

Oliver Howarth, operations director of Metro Coastlines, said "These new photo passes are the gateway to cheaper travel for Blackpool's young people. We want to encourage young people to use our bus services and hopefully stay with them instead of getting hooked into car use that in turn causes environmental damage. We believe that parents will welcome the opportunity to let their teenagers travel responsibly by bus instead of being driven around by car."