Going somewhere? Blackpool Transport is the Fylde Coast public transport provider. They are responsible for the service buses and the tramway along the coast. Here’s a brief overview of what, where, why and how – and links to further information. Their Blackpool buses network is one of the best in the country and combined with the Blackpool trams provides excellent transport around the town.
The current, new fleet of latest-spec Enviro buses will soon be changing to a new fleet of electric vehicles. Book tickets and follow your bus via the app, and look out for new real-time signage. Carrying over 10 million passengers annually in Blackpool, it’s a great, low-cost way to get from a-b. With a daily or weekly pass it’s an affordable way to get around when you’re on holiday. Hop along the prom from pier-to-pier or get to Stanley Park and the Zoo – there’s a bus for all of them!
New to the area? Not used to public transport? Take a look at Blackpool Transports highlights below (and some recent news) then head off to their website to find out more
Nostalgic Makeover for a Modern Blackpool Tram
Blackpool Transport is paying tribute to its rich heritage with the unveiling of an eye-catching ‘new’ look for one of its modern, second-generation trams.
Tram 012 first entered service in April 2012, but it’s now been wrapped in a green and cream livery, mimicking the much-loved heritage trams. Now it’s reminiscent of the single-deck trams that were a common sight on the seafront during the 1950s.
Lea Harrison is Blackpool Transport’s Managing Director. He explained: “We are on track to have some static displays ready for next month’s Lightpool Festival. But in the meantime we want to ensure our heritage plans remain in the public eye. Our engineers and volunteers are also doing all they can to restore some of our best-loved trams and bring others up to modern-day operating standards. This nostalgic makeover aims to remind everyone of their efforts behind the scenes.”
A standout member of Blackpool’s modern fleet, Tram 012 has previously been used to promote one of the town’s top tourist attractions. Its Pleasure Beach wrap featuring SpongeBob SquarePants became a firm favourite with visitors and local residents. This latest transformation is at no additional cost, as a makeover was required following the end of current sponsorship arrangements.
“We’re delighted to be able to use one of our younger trams to showcase our commitment to a safe and sustainable future for our wider heritage operations,” Lea added.
Heritage Trams Display during Lightpool Festival
Blackpool Heritage Trams aim to feature in this year’s Lightpool Festival, with static displays of two of the best-known trams planned for the October light show. Blackpool Transport is currently restoring and upgrading the much-loved Western Train and Rocket trams, with support from local transport groups and a team of volunteers.
The iconic Western Train tram – the illuminated twin-car tram, based on a Santa Fe train – is perhaps the most iconic of Blackpool Transport’s heritage fleet. While the unique Rocket tram had passengers travelling at a 30-degree elevation when it ran in the 80s and 90s. It is hoped the pair will be able to be viewed up close by visitors to Lightpool – a 10-day, free festival of light-based art installations.
Works are also underway to return operational heritage trams to the tracks. However, structural welding, electrical systems and axle repairs are all required before any can be safely and reliably returned for passenger tours.
Lea Harrison is Blackpool Transport’s Managing Director. He said: “Our heritage plans have not been forgotten. Work has already started on restoring and upgrading the much-loved ‘Western Train’ and ‘Rocket’ trams. We’re delighted to be able to welcome back volunteers to the depot, and the investment we’ve made in their training reflects our continued commitment to preserving our rich tramway heritage.”
Tram Shed Restoration Plans
The update comes along with the plan to restore the original tram shed at the Rigby Road depot, creating a refurbished home for the heritage fleet.
This will house operational trams and static displays in the original tramway workshop. Work has also begun reconfiguring overhead line equipment (OLE) in the area. This is in preparation for the demolition of the old workshop and refurbishment of the original tram shed.
“During these works we are continuing to search for a secure location for a ‘pop-up’ display for viewing the fleet and related memorabilia,” Lea said.
“Despite extensive enquiries, we’ve not managed to find anywhere suitable on the Fylde coast. Do you know of any premises that could provide a pop-up solution which could be developed into a temporary tourist attraction? Somewhere to keep the trams in the public eye until they return to their permanent home.
“We’re also actively looking for sponsorship and partnerships to accelerate the delivery of our ambitious plans for a sustainable heritage operation.”
Getting around with Blackpool Transport Buses and Trams
Getting around Blackpool and the Fylde Coast couldn’t be easier with buses and trams operated by Blackpool Transport.
They’re for local people and tourists, all year round. The great transport network means you get to enjoy everything which Blackpool and the surrounding areas have to offer. It’s a cost-effective way of travelling around the Fylde Coast. Easy to follow timetables make your journey easy and pleasurable. The tramway runs along the Fylde Coast from Starr Gate at the southern boundary of Blackpool. Trams travel along the full length of Blackpool seafront, through Cleveleys to Fleetwood.
New to the area? New to buses?
Did you know that you can plan your journey, with clear easy steps, using the Blackpool Transport website? It’s very similar to using Google maps to plan a route. Tell it where you want to travel from and where you want to go to and it will give you directions, including which transport to catch where.
We asked it to take us from Cleveleys Bus Station to St Annes Station. First of all it gives you a choice of departure/arrival times and shows the route –
We opted for the 7.04 departure time, clicked on that and it told us exactly what to do, including bus numbers and how far we would need to walk. Very clever!
Tickets and Live Updates with the Blackpool Transport App
Do you use the Blackpool Transport app? It’s a great way to plan your journey and buy tickets. It also includes live updates.
With the app you can buy a range of tickets in advance with your smartphone. Then simply activate the ticket just before boarding any Blackpool Transport bus or tram. It also allows you to plan your journey, find the best route and even has a disruptions page.
Did you know? You can log into the Blackpool Transport wifi while you’re on the bus. Watch its journey to know exactly where you are. Sort of sat-nav for bus passengers!
Bus Travel Information
Individual timetables, guides to all services and network maps are widely available across the Fylde Coast. Find them at the main Blackpool Transport offices at Rigby Road. You’ll also find printed timetables at community buildings across the Fylde Coast.
- Single bus fares. Click here for current prices
- Saver tickets of various kinds are available for regular travellers (more details below). Click here for details
- Routes and timetables here
Concessions: Pass holders of the English Concessionary Travel scheme can travel free on Blackpool Transport buses. Use your pass between 9.30am – 11pm Monday to Friday, anytime on Saturdays and Sunday or Bank Holidays.
Hop on Board with Contactless Travel
No cash? No problem! You can use contactless payments on Blackpool Transport buses and trams. Contactless payment arrived at Blackpool Transport in February 2021 after years of investment. Then in September 2022 daily capping came in on all of your Tap&Go and single contactless fares.
Dogs Travel FREE on Buses and Trams!
Blackpool Transport lifted the long-standing £1 fare for pet dogs, sending ‘Rover’ tickets to the dog house!
From Monday, June 1 2026 you won’t be charged extra for travelling with your well-behaved canine companion on Blackpool Transport buses or trams.
Jamie Swift is Head of Commercial at Blackpool Transport. He explained: “The ‘Rover’ ticket has been a long tradition here in Blackpool and dates back to well before dogs were allowed on many other transport networks in the UK.
“However, after listening to feedback from customers, we believe that charging for pampered pooches may actually put some people off using our services. But we want our trams and buses to provide the ‘paw-fect’ way to travel for everyone. So this nominal fee has found itself in the dog house, and been consigned to history.”
Dogs can now travel for free on all Blackpool Transport services, and owners won’t be ‘hounded’ to pay for an extra ticket. However, customers are reminded that they must keep their pets under control at all times and be mindful of the comfort of other passengers. They must also clean up after any unfortunate mishaps and, while their four-legged friends don’t need to pay, human companions must have a valid ticket.
Resort Rider Bus Routes – Back Bigger and Better!
Exploring the best that Blackpool has to offer is easier with the Blackpool Transport Resort Rider bus routes. The popular bus service that’s helped thousands of visitors make the most of holidays on the Fylde coast is to return ahead of the summer season.
First launched in 2025, the ‘Resort Rider’ buses proved a huge hit with both tourists and local residents. It brings the year-round Service 1 and seasonal Service 2 buses together under a single brand. Resort Rider gives easy access to top attractions from the Cala Gran Holiday Park and hotels along the promenade.
Although the Resort Rider brand is primarily targeted at tourists, residents can also use the services. They run every hour and offer a combined 30 minute frequency between Fleetwood and Blackpool’s piers.
From 20 June 2026:
- Resort Rider 1 will run along the promenade as far as St Annes.
- Resort Rider 2 serves Fleetwood, Cala Gran, and all the Piers before running on to Blackpool Zoo.
Jamie Swift is Head of Commercial at Blackpool Transport. He explains: “Between them, the two routes serve all the best places to visit in Blackpool and beyond, including the Tower and Pleasure Beach. Anyone who climbs aboard a Resort Rider bus knows they are heading in the right direction for all the world-famous sights.”
“By improving transport links in the town, Blackpool becomes an even more attractive place to visit, live or work. We will continue to review routes and services to meet the needs of customers and local businesses. Including our fantastic tourist attractions,” Jamie added.
More information on The Resort Rider routes can be found here, while details of some great travel offers, including a popular Family Saver ticket, can be found here.
Trams to Blackpool North Station
On Sunday 16 June 2024 the new tram extension opened, travelling along Talbot Road to Blackpool North Station. The change comes after the formal opening event on Wednesday 12 June with invited guests and dignitaries.
The previous Layton Tramway Route along Talbot Road closed in 1936. But now you can travel through to Blackpool North Station from the promenade and Fleetwood/Starr Gate. It also means that all passengers who arrive via train will have direct access to the Tramway. To support the additional journeys created by the extension, two new Flexity-2 trams have been added to the running stock.
Jobs at Blackpool Transport
It isn’t just about driving at Blackpool Transport. Conductors, Tram Drivers, Engineers, Cleaners and Admin staff all play a key part too.
If you’re looking for a new challenge look at the openings for multiple roles in Customer Experience, Heritage Team and opportunities to join the frontline team.
Holders of PCV licenses with a valid CPC can start their roles on £25k per year as part of Blackpool Transport’s enhanced wage structure.
The current rate, which could increase pending pay talks, will see holders of a PCV licence, valid CPC and relatable experience start their initial training with a salary of up to £25k per year. The intensive training program with the company’s professional team will have you on the road within three weeks. The average driver at Blackpool Transport currently earns up to £30,000 with overtime available. Don’t forget you can also train to drive the Blackpool trams too!
Blackpool Transport is also looking towards the future introduction of electric buses across the Fylde Coast. The enhanced offering of pay is an opportunity to welcome new colleagues to the business during this exciting and evolving period.
James Clough is Financial and Commercial Director. He said “As a business, we are always looking to improve our services. In January, we plan a change to our network to make customer journeys clear, easy and efficient. To do this successfully, we are looking to enhance our resources of PCV licence holders and have put together an attractive offer to join our team for the exciting developments ahead.”
Interested in applying for Blackpool Transport’s vacancies? Including trainee PCV drivers without a licence. Visit www.blackpooltransport.com/careers for full information and an online application process.
Blackpool Transport news
A New Managing Director for Blackpool Transport
Lea Harrison has been appointed as the new managing director of Blackpool Transport Services. Lea took up his role from 1 March 2026, ahead of the retirement of the current managing director, Jane Cole OBE, who has led Blackpool Transport since 2014. In her 12 years at the helm of the company, Jane has led on the company’s introduction of a new modern bus fleet, as well the extension of tram services in Blackpool. Jane was awarded an OBE in the 2026 New Year’s Honour’s List.
Lea joins the business following 10 years as managing director for Edinburgh Trams, where he successfully oversaw a variety of projects. Including an extension to the Edinburgh tramway network and a ‘Tap on, Tap off’ contactless ticketing system across both buses and trams. This contributed to a 250% growth in patronage along with multiple awards for customer service at the Global Light Rail awards and the Institute of Customer Services.
He brings a wealth of operational experience to Blackpool Transport, having originally started his career as one of the first tram drivers for Manchester Metrolink in 1991. From Manchester, he became head of service delivery at Tramlink Nottingham, successfully introducing two extensions to the network in August 2016. Then moved on to become the managing director for Edinburgh Trams.
In total, Blackpool Transport operates nearly 100 buses. Plus the tramway which runs from Starr Gate to Fleetwood Ferry, as well as the extension to Blackpool North train station. The company is also responsible for running the town’s heritage trams, of which a 2026 schedule is expected to be released shortly. Wholly owned by Blackpool Council, it’s one of the few remaining local authority owned transport companies in the country.
Awards for Blackpool Transport
Blackpool Transport named the nation’s top bus operator
A renewed commitment to matching services to the needs of both residents and visitors to the Fylde coast has earned Blackpool Transport the prestigious title of Bus Operator of the Year.
After scooping a Gold Award in the small to medium-sized (SME) operator category at the UK Bus Awards, it went on to be named the overall winner at a high-profile industry event in London on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.
The prestigious accolade recognised the transformation of bus services on the Fylde coast over the past 12 months, which has seen the successful launch of new branded services, including the Cleveleys Connections and Lytham Line.
Additional early morning, evening and weekend buses across the network have also proved a huge hit with the travelling public and, as part of the award judging process, ‘mystery passengers’ took to the network to see for themselves the many service improvements made by the operator.
The latest awards come hot on the heels of Blackpool Transport’s success at the National Transport Awards, where it secured top honours in the Tram Operator of the Year category.
Celebrating Victory in Innovation and Resilience at the 2023 Lancashire Tourism Awards
The Fylde Coast transport operator was awarded the prestigious award at the 2023 Lancashire Tourism Awards on Tuesday 6 February 2024. The Resilience and Innovation award recognises businesses within the tourism industry that have demonstrated great innovation, resilience and adaptation during and after a crisis or period of adversity.
Blackpool Transport’s resilience and innovative initiatives, such as the reimagining of its network and local Travel to Work discounts, have navigated industry challenges and positioned the company as a trailblazer in the field.
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