Fastest bus Preston to Blackpool?

Blindtraveler · 15th July 2012, 19:56

Hi.

Since the withdrawal of X61 whats the fastest rervice from Preston Bus Station to Blackpool and how much does it cost? Ta.

WestCoast · 15th July 2012, 21:26

The fastest bus is the Stagecoach 61, which takes on average around one hour and ten minutes. It runs every 30 mins Monday to Saturday daytimes, hourly on Sundays. It drops you off in Blackpool Town Centre on Market Street, near Talbot Square/North Pier and the shops.

It's quite a pleasant run through the suburbs of Preston onto the towns of Kirkham & Wesham and then Blackpool (coming in via Marton), passing through a few nice villages along the way. The single fare will be at least £5, perhaps up to £6. Not great considering a Lancashire Dayrider is £6.80, but that's often the case here with singles and dayriders.

The other option is the Stagecoach 68 running every 15 minutes, which takes the coastal route through Freckleton, Warton, Lytham St Annes and the South Shore of Blackpool. It takes around one hour and thirty minutes, but is better than the 61 if you want to be dropped off on the Central bit of the Promenade. Same prices.

There's also the Cumfybus/Coastal Coaches 75 (Fylde Villager), but that's not worth considering unless you're going somewhere along the route or you want to spend half the day on a bus.

The National Express coaches are the quickest and drop off at the new coach station, if you can call it that, near the Tower. They're scheduled to take around 50 minutes, but easily manage it in less. The downside being that they aren't all that frequent.

Statto · 15th July 2012, 21:30

The 61 Preston to Blackpool which takes 75 minutes, the 68 is more frequent every 15 minutes however that takes about 90 min, as it goes through Lytham.

61 timetable http://www.stagecoachbus.com/PdfUplo...Preston%29.pdf

68 timetable http://www.stagecoachbus.com/PdfUplo...Preston%29.pdf

jonesy3001 · 16th July 2012, 01:55

Catch the train it only takes 30/45 mins depending on the stops.

Cliveblackpool · 16th July 2012, 09:37

Train is the best bet between those points!
BPS - PRE £6.60 single £7.30 cdr (NB service disruption during golf event) 36 mins
BPN - PRE £7.00 single £7.80 cdr 25mins approx.

WestCoast · 16th July 2012, 10:24

Yes, the train is indeed far quicker than the bus. The passengers I've seen using the bus for the whole journey are those with concession passes (so it's free off-peak) or those arriving on buses/coaches at Preston Bus Station (saving a walk to the rail station, which isn't around the corner by any means).

Statto · 16th July 2012, 14:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by WestCoast

Yes, the train is indeed far quicker than the bus. The passengers I've seen using the bus for the whole journey are those with concession passes (so it's free off-peak) or those arriving on buses/coaches at Preston Bus Station (saving a walk to the rail station, which isn't around the corner by any means).

Good point it's a good 10-15 min walk from Preston Bus station to the Rail Station & that's without carrying heavy luggage.

jcollins · 16th July 2012, 15:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blindtraveler

Since the withdrawal of X61 whats the fastest rervice from Preston Bus Station to Blackpool and how much does it cost? Ta.

Surely the answer is the National Express Blackpool services which take 35-40 minutes between Blackpool and Preston Bus station, although the frequency is less than hourly. Fares on that service seem to range from £2.20 to £3.50 single, depending how far in advance you book.

142094 · 17th July 2012, 11:50

The fastest bus is probably a 142 that runs on the Blackpool South - Colne services!

TimSYoung40145 · 18th July 2012, 06:13

I would say the fastest service is the 61. The 68 is more frequent, but takes longer.

jcollins · 18th July 2012, 08:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by 142094

The fastest bus is probably a 142 that runs on the Blackpool South - Colne services!

Doesn't count - they aren't roadworthy (or railworthy!)

142094 · 18th July 2012, 13:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcollins

Doesn't count - they aren't roadworthy (or railworthy!)

142s are good enough for Blackpool any day!

WestCoast · 18th July 2012, 13:33

The 142s are mostly confined to the Blackpool South services, although 150s are also a regular sight. 142s do appear on the Blackpool North - Man Vic services.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Quote:

Originally Posted by 142094

142s are good enough for Blackpool any day!

As opposed to what, PPMs?

Blackpool South line is playing a major role with the Open Golf at Lytham this week, it doesn't just serve Blackpool (in fact St Annes saw only 7,000 less users than BPS in the last count). I haven't checked out what stock is being provided this week on the shuttle.

jcollins · 18th July 2012, 13:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by 142094

142s are good enough for Blackpool any day!

They have donkey rides on real donkeys in Blackpool though.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Quote:

Originally Posted by WestCoast

I haven't checked out what stock is being provided this week on the shuttle.

Doubled up Sprinters implied but on a revised shuttle service to and from Preston.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Northern Rail

During the Open Golf Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes, Northern Rail will run a specially amended train service, providing additional capacity for customers wishing to travel there by train. We anticipate that customers will travel to the golf from across the country and many customers are likely to buy tickets and reserve seats in advance for the long distance part of their journey. The additional seats that we are providing will enable those wishing to travel by train to connect with the local train service at Preston throughout the day.

From Wednesday 18 July to Sunday 22 July we will run a special shuttle train between Preston and Ansdell & Fairhaven. There will be two trains an hour for most of the day, with one service calling at Kirkham & Wesham only and the other service also calling at Moss Side and Lytham. The shuttle service is planned to run with four carriages providing up to 300 seats per train.

Our revised service covers the last day of practice and the four days of competition. There are no changes to train services planned for the first three practice days 15, 16 and 17 July.

At the end of the day’s play there are likely to be more customers wishing to travel from Ansdell & Fairhaven than we can accommodate on one train. We recommend that anyone with a connection at Preston allows plenty of additional time and advise customers to be prepared to wait for later trains.

Trains will not run beyond Ansdell & Fairhaven and customers who are not travelling to the golf are encouraged to use alternative services: a special bus service will run between Blackpool South and Kirkham & Wesham for those travelling to and from local stations, however customers connecting at Preston for Blackpool Pleasure Beach should travel to and from Blackpool North.

Full timetable: http://www.communityraillancashire.c...05-BPS-PRE.pdf

142094 · 18th July 2012, 14:08

Judging by some of the streets I walked through to get to Blackpool South station, a 142 actually looks decent.

15th July 2012, 19:56	#1
Blindtraveler Scotlands No.1 Pacer Fan! Established Member Join Date: 28 Feb 2011 Location: Edinburgh Scotland United Kingdom Posts: 2,578	Fastest bus Preston to Blackpool? Hi. Since the withdrawal of X61 whats the fastest rervice from Preston Bus Station to Blackpool and how much does it cost? Ta.

16th July 2012, 01:55	#4
jonesy3001 Established Member Join Date: 13 Jul 2009 Location: Morecambe Posts: 1,236	Catch the train it only takes 30/45 mins depending on the stops. __________________ http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonesy3001/ http://s1101.beta.photobucket.com/us...ary/Stagecoach

17th July 2012, 11:50	#9
142094 142 aficionado Established Member Join Date: 7 Nov 2009 Location: Newcastle Posts: 7,717	The fastest bus is probably a 142 that runs on the Blackpool South - Colne services! __________________ Stand Clear of the Doors, Please.

18th July 2012, 14:08	#15
142094 142 aficionado Established Member Join Date: 7 Nov 2009 Location: Newcastle Posts: 7,717	Judging by some of the streets I walked through to get to Blackpool South station, a 142 actually looks decent. __________________ Stand Clear of the Doors, Please.

15th July 2012, 21:26	#2
WestCoast Established Member Join Date: 19 Jun 2010 Location: West Midlands Posts: 4,520	The fastest bus is the Stagecoach 61, which takes on average around one hour and ten minutes. It runs every 30 mins Monday to Saturday daytimes, hourly on Sundays. It drops you off in Blackpool Town Centre on Market Street, near Talbot Square/North Pier and the shops. It's quite a pleasant run through the suburbs of Preston onto the towns of Kirkham & Wesham and then Blackpool (coming in via Marton), passing through a few nice villages along the way. The single fare will be at least £5, perhaps up to £6. Not great considering a Lancashire Dayrider is £6.80, but that's often the case here with singles and dayriders. The other option is the Stagecoach 68 running every 15 minutes, which takes the coastal route through Freckleton, Warton, Lytham St Annes and the South Shore of Blackpool. It takes around one hour and thirty minutes, but is better than the 61 if you want to be dropped off on the Central bit of the Promenade. Same prices. There's also the Cumfybus/Coastal Coaches 75 (Fylde Villager), but that's not worth considering unless you're going somewhere along the route or you want to spend half the day on a bus. The National Express coaches are the quickest and drop off at the new coach station, if you can call it that, near the Tower. They're scheduled to take around 50 minutes, but easily manage it in less. The downside being that they aren't all that frequent.

15th July 2012, 21:30	#3
Statto I'm in the pub at the bar Member Join Date: 8 Feb 2011 Location: At home or at the pub Posts: 656	The 61 Preston to Blackpool which takes 75 minutes, the 68 is more frequent every 15 minutes however that takes about 90 min, as it goes through Lytham. 61 timetable http://www.stagecoachbus.com/PdfUplo...Preston%29.pdf 68 timetable http://www.stagecoachbus.com/PdfUplo...Preston%29.pdf

16th July 2012, 09:37	#5
Cliveblackpool Member Join Date: 6 Sep 2011 Posts: 551	Train is the best bet between those points! BPS - PRE £6.60 single £7.30 cdr (NB service disruption during golf event) 36 mins BPN - PRE £7.00 single £7.80 cdr 25mins approx.

16th July 2012, 10:24	#6
WestCoast Established Member Join Date: 19 Jun 2010 Location: West Midlands Posts: 4,520	Yes, the train is indeed far quicker than the bus. The passengers I've seen using the bus for the whole journey are those with concession passes (so it's free off-peak) or those arriving on buses/coaches at Preston Bus Station (saving a walk to the rail station, which isn't around the corner by any means).

18th July 2012, 06:13	#10
TimSYoung40145 Established Member Join Date: 30 Apr 2010 Location: Blackpool Posts: 1,843	I would say the fastest service is the 61. The 68 is more frequent, but takes longer.