Blackpool Transport Services Ltd

General information

Blackpool has the oldest electric street tramway in the world with records dating back to 1884 when track plans were produced for an electric tramway that would connect North and South Shore. Blackpool Corporation paid for and maintained the infrastructure, whilst the Blackpool Electric Tramway Company, formed in January 1885 provided the electrical equipment, depot and tramcars. The tramway opened on the 29th September 1885. After the second world war, there was gradual consolidation and by 1962, the trams were confined to the 11 mile route from Starr Gate to Fleetwood which still operates today. The bus services expanded along with the town throughout the sixties, seventies and eighties. Since bus deregulation in 1986, the trams and buses have been operated by Blackpool Transport Services Ltd, a Blackpool Council Company. While the trams themselves are owned and run by Blackpool Transport, the tramway infrastructure is currently owned by Blackpool Council and leased to the Company, which pays an annual track rental fee for the privilege. The bus services suffered from local competition throughout the 1980s and early 90s, culminating in the purchase by Blackpool Transport of the former Lytham St Annes corporation services, which by 1993 were running as Blue Buses. The Blue Buses depot at Squires Gate was kept for several years until all operations were consolidated on one site at Rigby Road