As we’ve reported already this year, the Blackpool Tramway has been the latest system in the UK to suffer from tram shortages which required the introduction of a temporary timetable (which is still in place). Maintenance of the trams has been continuing during the quieter winter months and things took a step forward in late March with 018 returning to action – complete with new vinyls to celebrate the Tramway Operator of the Year award they won in 2025.
018 had last been seen in service on 7th January 2026 but after attention at Starr Gate Depot it returned to the Promenade on 26th March 2026. Although not in passenger service – it was being used for driver training – this is a positive sign that things should improve on the tram availability front and allow an improved frequency timetable to be introduced later in the year for the busier summer season.
The tram is also the first in the fleet to receive special vinyls on the ends which note that they won UK Tram Operator of the Year at the National Transport Awards. This is similar to how Edinburgh Trams have previously made mention of their award wins, and there is surely no coincidence that the new Managing Director of Blackpool Transport has come from Edinburgh!
There remain six trams out of service, some longer than others:
004 – last ran December 2025
005 – last ran July 2022
007 – last ran January 2026
010 – last ran August 2025
012 – last ran December 2025
017 – last ran December 2025
018 on its first day back out. The new UK Tram Operator of the Year logos are seen underneath the Blackpool Tramway logo on the end of the tram. (Photograph by Oliver Shenton, 26th March 2026)
It might be that 005 could be used as a source of spares for the remainder of the fleet. It would appear that the B Fleet must officially have been abandoned as not even during shortages of the Flexities has even one been considered as a relief tram. One wonders whether they have been banned from use due to health and safety concerns or simply through a new inflexible interpretation of the relevant disabilty legislation. Either way it is begining to look as though they were born of a total misjudgment and but for such a mistake, 700 would have been able to retain its true heritage appearance. What a great pity!
How many times do you need to be told they aren’t suitable as relief trams or front line service? They are not accessible and have 1 door v 4 doors. Extras yes, substitutes no.
Five B fleet Balloons and one Flexity provided a 20 min service between P Beach and Fleetwood in (I think) 2019 for a day after a car collided with a traction pole near Starr Gate. The Balloons were rushed into service and came valiantly to the rescue in pouring rain. A mix of Flexities and Balloons could work if people knew the timetable and which trams were accessible on the day. I do realise, however, that there is still the issue of Rigby Road roof to conquer first.
Balloons can ONLY do extras not main service. If only real time info had been installed – the public would know the next Tram to Little Bispham isn’t accessible.
That recollection is correct. I remember it because I missed it but two friends rang me from.Fleetwood to report the ‘B’ fleet cars coming through. I didn’t realise at the time what a unique happening this was to be. However my gut instinct is that it may have been quite a bit earlier than 2019 as one of these friends was sadly incapacitated by then. I can’t be sure, but would be tempted to say possibly only a year or two.after the tramway conversion had taken place? Back numbers of Trams magazine or maybe even British Trams Online’s own archives may be able to confirm when it was.
Yes was 2012 or 13 most definitely.