Timetable changes set to boost Routes from 31st August

Building on the success of our route changes earlier this year, our customers can look forward to further service enhancements from 31st August. 

We have been carefully monitoring the performance of all our bus routes and now plan to further boost reliability and reduce some journey times thanks to wide-ranging timetable improvements. 

Some routes will also see more frequent services, while others will see adjustments to the places buses serve, making them even more convenient for customers. New brands for some of the routes to make them stand out and make the network easier for customers to navigate. 

Highlights include the extension of service 5 to serve Thornton and Cleveleys and diversions on some routes to Blackpool and The Fylde College at certain times during the day, improving travel options for local college students. 

There are also more 6 buses during the morning peak period, as well as during the evening and at weekends, while customers on 5A services will welcome route extensions serving Progress Way and Midgeland Road. 

Many services have been improved thanks to funding from the government’s Bus Service Improvement Plan, and the latest evolution of the timetable is set to help make our services an even more attractive option for both residents and visitors. 

Jamie Swift, Head of Service Delivery at Blackpool Transport, explained: “Our Boosting Your Routes initiative, launched in January, and the earlier Routes Reimagined programme have proved a huge success. However, over recent months, we’ve been listening to feedback from passengers and carefully analysing travel patterns to see where further improvements can be made. 

“These fresh changes aim to help us meet the needs of our customers and provide an even better service, while continuing to offer integration with the tram system, which has also recently seen the introduction of an improved timetable. 

“The enhancements also follow consultations with Blackpool and Lancashire councils on a local transport strategy that aims to support the regional economy by providing more buses, particularly during the evening and at weekends.” 

Cllr Mark Smith, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Built Environment, added: “These changes mean more buses travelling to more local neighbourhoods, more frequently.

“It’s making Blackpool buses better for local people.

“Having a council owned transport company means that our priority is people over profits, and we’re constantly working with Blackpool Transport to make sure we help local Blackpool residents to easily travel around on public transport, whether they are seeing family, going to work or coming to events in town.”

Summary of Service Changes :

Resort Rider 1 

This route will see some changes to the route and timetable. The Resort Rider 1 will no longer serve Blackpool North Station and will instead terminate at North Pier in both directions.    

Buses towards Blackpool run around 10 minutes earlier than they do currently with some minor adjustments to Fleetwood bound trips.  

These changes simplify the route making it a convenient, reliable promenade service. 

See the new Resort Rider 1 timetable from 31st August here. 

Resort Rider 2 

There are some changes to timings on the Resort Ride 2 so that it fits in with the revised Resort Rider 1 timetable. Monday to Friday trips will also finish earlier due to reduced demand in the Autumn months.  
There is a minor route change between Cala Gran and Cleveleys following customer feedback. Buses will now stay on Fleetwood Road to Burn Naze and then run the full length of West Drive into Cleveleys.  

See the new Resort Rider 2 timetable from 31st August here. 

Cross Town 3, 3A 

No changes to the 3, but the duplicate school time trips on the 3A are withdrawn due to low customer numbers.  

See the new Cross Town 3 and 3A timetable from 31st August here. 

Victoria Lines 5, 5A and 5B 

There are timetable changes to all of these services to improve journey times and accommodate some changes to routes following customer feedback.  

The combined frequency will remain at every 15 minutes during the Monday to Friday daytime, every 20 minutes on Saturdays and every 30 minutes in the evenings and on Sundays.  

See the new Victoria Lines 5, 5A and 5B timetable from 31st August here. 

Victoria Line 5 

Following many requests from customers and collaborative working with Blackpool and the Fylde College we are trialling are some significant changes to this route. 

The 5 will now extend beyond Poulton to serve Thornton and Cleveleys. The Cleveleys extension will operate every 30 minutes during Monday to Friday daytime and hourly on Saturdays. In the evenings and on Sundays all service 5s will terminate at Poulton Booths.  

During college times, instead of running via Thornton, the route will divert to serve Blackpool and the Fylde College, this aims to increase travel options for students. These diverted college trips will be clearly marked on the destination displays and timetables.  

In Poulton, the main stop towards Blackpool will now be at Booths.  

Victoria Line 5A 

There are minor changes to the timetable to improve journey times.   

Following customer requests and using Bus Service Improvement funding, after leaving Halfway House the 5A will continue along Squires Gate Lane to serve the new houses on Progress Way, it will also serve Midgeland Road before continuing on its current route from Highfield Road.  

Funding has also been granted to run the 5A on Sundays, every hour during the daytime.  

Victoria Line 5B 

There are minor changes to the timetable to improve journey times. The 5B will no longer run on Sundays and is now replaced with journeys to Staining on the 5A. Service 2 will continue to serve the Zoo on Sundays. 

Victoria Line 5C  

Using Bus Service Improvement funding we are increasing the frequency on the 5C to every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime and hourly in the evenings and on Sundays. Funding has also been granted for some later trips on Sundays.  

See the new Victoria Line 5C timetable from 31st August here. 

Cross Town 6  

There is a much-improved timetable for the 6 with more trips during the morning peak period and an increased evening and Sunday service with buses from every 30 minutes.  
The hourly extension to DWP Peel Park will continue, while Whitehills Business Park will now be served by service 18. 

See the new Cross Town 6 timetable from 31st August here. 

Cleveleys Connection 7 

The next phase of improvements to service 7 is to increase the frequency to every 20 minutes during the Monday to Friday daytimes, and every 30 minutes in the evenings and on Saturdays and Sundays. 

See the new Cleveleys Connection 7 timetable from 31st August here. 

Cleveleys Connection 7A 

There are minor timetable changes to help with punctuality, especially during the Monday to Friday morning peak period.  

See the new Cleveleys Connection 7A timetable from 31st August here. 

Lytham Line 11 

Following customer feedback on the new timetable we are adding extra early morning journeys departing from Blackpool at 06:15 and Lytham at 07:00, plus an improved afternoon peak time service. We have also simplified the evening timetable with buses running every 30 minutes.  

See the new Lytham Line 11 timetable from 31st August here. 

Lytham Line 11A  

Following customer feedback on the new timetable we are adding extra early morning journeys departing from Blackpool at 06:15 and Lytham at 07:00, plus an improved afternoon peak time service. We have also simplified the evening timetable with buses running every 30 minutes.  

See the new Lytham Line 11A timetable from 31st August here. 

Lytham Line 11B 

There are no changes to this service.

Local Link 12 

There are minor timetable changes to this service to help with punctuality and the Monday to Friday 14:00 journey from town will now operate as a service 12 (not 12A).  

Following customer feedback, the Town centre terminus will move from Central Library to Corporation Street, stop C04.  

See the new Local Link 12 timetable from 31st August here. 

Wyre Line 14   

The timetable is improved with buses running from every 15 minutes throughout the Monday to Friday daytime. Saturday buses will still run every 20 minutes and evening and Sundays every 30 minutes.  

See the new Wyre Line 14 timetable from 31st August here. 

Local Link 18 

There are minor timetable changes to this service to help with punctuality. Buses will now serve Whitehills between Mereside Tesco and the Hospital to replace the current extended trips on service 6.  

See the new Local Link 18 timetable from 31st August here.