There are now four trams in the Blackpool Tramway core fleet of Flexity2s with vinyl wrap adverts with the latest being 011 which has received a bright design for Mazuma Mobile. The tram was officially unveiled in its new advert by boxer Jack Catterall at North Pier on Tuesday 13th September.
Since being delivered to Blackpool on 23rd March 2012, 011 has been in the standard fleet livery of Purple and White. Whilst it has had side adverts on one side for Redrow Homes that has been all which has broken up its standard look – until now!
The advert for Mazuma Mobile is a pleasing sky blue colour and although it does feature contravision on sections one, three and five it is a pleasing design which adds a splash of colour to the tramway. Mazuma Mobile will take your old phone for money. It is a complete vinyl wrap with all traces of standard fleet livery erased and unlike the last all over advert it has normal sized fleet numbers (001 we’re talking about you!).
For the first time since the upgraded tramway opened in 2012 there are four of the Flexity2 trams not in standard fleet livery. In addition to 011 there is 001 in its Blackpool Big Ticket Merlin Attractions advert and 003 and 016 in their identical Pretty Little Thing ads.
This advert on 011 means that five of the trams have now had full adverts since the first was applied in April 2014 for Fleetwood Freeport on 016.
The full advert on 011 when standing at the North Pier and Tower heritage stop.
Shortly after the unveiling with the Mazuma Mobile mascot (presumably a phone?) and Jack Catterall in shot. (We’re pretty sure the mascot is the one on the left…)
014 – which once had an advert itself for JD Sports – arrives at North Pier to allow a comparison of standard fleet livery and this advert. (All Photographs by Michael Morton, 13th September 2022)
Sorry to say this but I feel this type of advertising degrades public transport and obstructs the view through the windows.
I much prefer the advert livery , Blackpool has for a long time been a lot more interesting to photographers for doing it and it also provides a good source of income. Over the years some classics have been created. The terror train, tigerific, little Italy, post office tram, the list goes on. Long may it continue.