First passenger tram to run to North Station 12th June – full service starts 16th June

After the excitement of the first day of the latest round of testing along Talbot Road and to North Station on the Blackpool Tramway yesterday comes the news many have been waiting for – a date for services to start. Blackpool Council have now confirmed that the first passengers will be carried on Wednesday 12^th June although it won’t be until Sunday 16^th June that normal fare paying passengers will be able to take a ride on the line.

On Wednesday 12^th June a special first passenger tram will run from Starr Gate Depot to North Station and Blackpool Council are giving local residents (with a FY postcode) the chance to win one of 10 pairs of tickets to travel on this tram.

These “First Rider” will enable the winners to not only travel on the first tram to North Station since 1963 (albeit on a different route) but they also get refreshments at Starr Gate Depot, celebration brunch at the new Marco’s New York Italian restaurant (part of the new development adjacent to North Station terminus) and a goody bag including commemorative gifts. The tram will then take the lucky winners back to Starr Gate Depot.

The competition to win this exclusive prize can be entered at http://www.blackpool.gov.uk/firstrider.

Although this special trip will run on Wednesday 12^th June it won’t be until Sunday 16^th June that normal passenger services will get underway. There are also planned to be special tram tours (with limited tickets available) on Thursday 13^th, Friday 14^th and Saturday 15^th June. More details of these special tours and how to get tickets will be released from the middle of May.

It has also been confirmed in the Blackpool Council press release that details of routes and timings for the public service will be released nearer the time.

Alan Cavill, Blackpool Council’s Director of Communication and Regeneration, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that the new tramway extension will be running in time for the summer. “The First Rider ticket draw gives residents a chance to be part of a historic event for the town. We wanted to make it a special occasion as it is such an important day for the Fylde Coast. “The extension to the tramway is an important piece in the council’s commitment to create a modern and integrated transport network across Blackpool which is important for both residents and visitors. It will make it easier for people to get to work, places of interest and carryout our everyday lives. “The tramway extension will also enable everyone to travel more easily across town but also across the Northwest and further afield in a quicker more efficient way”.