Since the launch of the new Blackpool Tramway timetable following the opening of the Blackpool North Station extension there has been much debate (our comments section has never been so “popular”) about its effectiveness. Much of it has centred over complaint about the reduction in frequencies, especially for through services between the north of the tramway and south, and the uneven spacing of trams between North Pier and Starr Gate. In an effort to allay some of these complaints, Sunday 23rd June saw the relatively rare use of “B fleet” Balloon as a special using LRT platforms.
The chosen tram on this day was Balloon 718 – which has been the “heritage spare” stabled outside the main shed at Rigby Road Depot throughout the season and saw some heritage use over the Spring Bank Holiday. It was utilised running specials between Starr Gate and Tower/North Pier.
As originally conceived this is what the B fleet Balloons were meant to be used for. Running services calling at the light rail platforms to supplement the Flexity2 service. But as time has gone on this has not happened for various reasons and with a fleet of 18 Flexity2 trams now available (one of which is out of use long-term) it would be expected that the use of B fleet cars for that reason would dissipate (especially when the new timetable only requires use of 11 Flexity2s, although using more requires more crew of course).
Whether the use of 718 is a precursor to more regular use on specials remains to be seen. If it is used more often it also begs the question how the travelling public will cope with a more traditional tram which only has one set of doors calling at the platforms!
718 has just terminated at Tower and now pulls forward to use the crossover and then return south to Starr Gate.
The tram is now seen heading south past the Tower on its way to Starr Gate. (Both Photographs by Peter Dockerty, 23rd June 2024)
Its good to see a B Fleet car being used for its intended purpose, but why Starr Gate – Tower? Why not Pleasure Beach – Bispham or Little Bispham, therefore providing a much-needed boost to the direct service between the Pleasure Beach and the many hotels on north prom? A step in the right direction for sure, but only a small one.
The new timetable has created a 25/5 Minute gap at every Southbound stop between North Pier and Starr Gate so I’m presuming that’s the main reason why they had 718 out doing specials only to North Pier/Tower.
Otherwise you’d have a 25 minute gap without any southbound trams between those two points
At last…. someone has remembered what these trams are really for! Unfortunately, confusion will ensue because of the inappropriate heritage livery applied to some of them, but more frequent appearances on specials will help people grow accustomed to using them – I hope. Now we just need someone to work out that TWO specials will be needed to plug the TWO 25 min gaps each hour.
Should this not be solved by Colour coded cards. I.E: Green, Red, Maroon or Teak (for Heritage) & Purple or Yellow/Grey (For LRT/Flexity Cover)
Ironically in the week that followed we have seen the complete collapse of the service. As many unfortunately predicted in the run-up the Driver Shortages would bite hard… Even with managers out driving they had to waive the white flag on the evenning T2 services the humillating sight of replacement busses & no replacement at all.. Oh dear..
718 is a curious development particularly a well known Vollunteer in a BHTT Uniform (presumably paid?).
Just look at tonight.. All Cancelled… (27.06.24)
(T2) 18:15 – Starr Gate – North Station
(T2) 18:45 – North Station – Starr Gate
(T2) 18:45 – Starr Gate – North Station
(T2) 19:15 – North Station – Starr Gate
(T2) 19:45 – Starr Gate – North Station
(T2) 20:15 – North Station – Starr Gate
(T2) 20:45 – Starr Gate – North Station
(T3) 21:30 – North Station – Fleetwood Ferry
(T2) 22:25 – Fleetwood Ferry – Talbot Square
(T2) 20:15 – Starr Gate – North Station
(T2) 20:45 – North Station – Starr Gate
(T2) 21:15 – Starr Gate – North Station
(T2) 21:45 – North Station – Starr Gate
(T2) 22:15 – Starr Gate – North Station
(T2) 22:45 – North Station – Starr Gate
If 718 is in Revenue earning/LRT service (taking general Passengers as opposed to running Heritage Tours) then why is it crewed by Heritage Volunteers as opposed to actual Blackpool Transport Staff who have Balloon Knowledge?
Surely there must be a rule somewhere that prevents Heritage Volunteers from operating B Fleet Balloons in LRT service. Unless, of course, they do work for BTS in some capacity (Trams, Office, Buses, etc). It’s also worth pointing out that BTS employees aren’t banned/excluded from signing up to be Heritage Volunteers.
And if these Volunteers do work for BTS, ten I’d seriously like to question why they’re in Heritage Uniform and not the BTS uniform. It’d give more of a distinction as to whether 718 (and other members of the B Fleet) is in Heritage Service or LRT service too
Many of the Volunteers do paid work for BTS in various roles on an ad-hoc/casual basis, and that is what is happening here.
Certainly this Sunday, they were NOT in Heritage branded uniform, they had standard BT logos, the driver (same one as the photos above), had the same as the Inspector covering both LRT and B-fleet and when I rode it there was a guard in the standard yellow shirt.
If you haven’t been there to observe, then please don’t make assumptions from the comfort of a distant arm-chair.
Seems to me very sensible to use those staff on that basis to increase output. If there were spare LRT qualified staff available, they would be running LRTs on Specials, not B-fleet.
Harvey – all LRT services are crewed by paid staff. Volunteers also work for BTS and vice versa. For the relatively short time a B fleet is running its not cost effective to supply a whole new uniform. I doubt very much anyone even notices beyond the enthusiasts such as us.
Personally I’d split the B fleet into Heritage loan and LRT and vinyl the LRT ones to make the distinction (as they used to be). I know from my time there we used to get people kicking off – well I used my pass on a double decker yesterday etc. And I used to say purple service, green heritage. Now they are all the same!
I don’t know but i would guess they are being empolyed as there is no one else available, otherwise a spare Flex would be out.
Personally I think the B fleet should do more as extras to plug gaps and provide interest on the Tramway beyond expensive tours.
Surely there a tram loan transfer system for operators? Manchester and Birmingham may have some spare trams they can lend to plug the gaps. Maybe even a permanent transfer for a nominal fee.
Trams aren’t the problem. The timetable requires 11 trams, there is a fleet of 18 of which 1 is know to be out of service long-term. Plus trams from other systems can’t just be moved elsewhere – Manchester is high floor, Blackpool low floor for a start. And then all driver’s would need training on a different type of tram as well as engineers in maintaining them. That’s before you start to consider the length of trams, platforms, junctions and other infrastructure.