Blackpool Transport
It was business as usual when Blackpool Transport replaced Blackpool Corporation in 1974 under the recently appointed manager Derek Hyde. The last of the 55 AEC Swifts was entering service and more than half of the 13 One Man Operated (OMO) Trams introduced from 1972-1976 had similarly rescued the economics of year round operation of the sole surviving Promenade tram route. With operation of OMO single deckers now at their practical extent, consideration turned to buying double deck buses that could be similarly operated to convert further services. As a result no less than 64 Leyland Atlanteans replaced most of the remaining Leyland Titans between 1977 and 1984. These impressive vehicles seated up to 86 – compared to just 52 seats in the early post war double deckers.
Local bus services were deregulated and opened to competition in 1986 and Blackpool and Fylde battled for territory – and both made gains from Ribble. As part of their armoury Blackpool purchased 35 Optare City Pacer minibuses seating 19 seats – one fewer seat than the first buses of 1921. It purchased Fylde in 1994 and absorbed it completely in 1996 taking the fleet total to 208 buses. It has since rationalised operations, closing the former Fylde depot in 1999 and reducing the fleet size to 153.
Blackpool 377
In the early years after deregulation, Blackpool Transport purchased few new double deck buses with only six joining the fleet in 1988 and then a further batch of Volvo Olympians in 1994.
377 is one of the later batch which also became the last double deck buses delivered new in the traditional green & cream livery.
Blackpool 575
After the deregulation of local bus services in 1985 high frequency minibus services became popular throughout the country as a competitive tool to increase bus ridership.
No. 575 is one of 35 Optare ‘City Pacers’ (including three ex demonstrators) acquired by Blackpool after deregulation – the majority in 1987/8. A distinctive identity was adopted using the "Handybus" name and a livery of black with yellow skirt.
Blackpool 225
The Optare Excel type was the first full-length single deck purchases by Blackpool Transport and initially were used on services inherited from the Fylde Transport "Blue Buses" operation.
Further second hand examples were later added from Go-North East and Reading Buses and no.225 is one such example. .
