Blackpool tram concessionary pass issues

[radamfi]

Until the end of last month, concessionary pass holders from across Lancashire could get free off peak travel on Blackpool trams. However, now that only applies to Blackpool residents.

That is rather an anomaly because much of the tram route lies outside the Blackpool Council area. I think this situation is unique in the country. For example, passes issued both by the City of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire County Council can be used on the Nottingham tram network. Similar to Blackpool, the tram goes outside the (rather tightly drawn) city boundary.

 

[34D]

Until the end of last month, concessionary pass holders from across Lancashire could get free off peak travel on Blackpool trams. However, now that only applies to Blackpool residents.

That is rather an anomaly because much of the tram route lies outside the Blackpool Council area. I think this situation is unique in the country. For example, passes issued both by the City of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire County Council can be used on the Nottingham tram network. Similar to Blackpool, the tram goes outside the (rather tightly drawn) city boundary.

Hmm, I hadn't thought of it like this. Is it just at the Fleetwood end, or is Starr Gate in another area too? Presumably Lancashire?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

The council wards of Blackpool Council on the coastal area run from Anchorsholme in the north to Squires Gate in the south

 

[radamfi]

Yes, the tram line stops right at the southern boundary. There is a "Welcome to Blackpool" sign on the road beside the end of the tram line.

 

[neilmc]

Yes indeed, the elderly residents of Fleetwood and Cleveleys which are in Wyre District are furious because they have lost free use of the trams, which are the public transport mainstay in their towns, but Blackpool refuse to budge and I don't think there's anything Lancashire County Council can do about it.

I think this is different from the other tramway systems in that, whilst the national concessionary free bus pass generally isn't valid on the trams for people who live outside of the area concerned, Blackpool is the only system where pensioners who actually live on the tram route are denied free off-peak travel!

I'm generally in favour of the (few!) remaining local authority run transport networks but not in the case of Blackpool which IMO have acted in a vile and disgusting manner to elderly people dependent on their services.

 

[WatcherZero]

You do have to factor in who their primary clientele is as well, the higher percentage of elderly residents and visitors puts a greater strain on a small authority since the Government made it a locally rather than nationally funded benefit. Around 20% of Blackpools population is over 65 and rising compared to around 14.5% nationally.

 

[radamfi]

Yes indeed, the elderly residents of Fleetwood and Cleveleys which are in Wyre District are furious because they have lost free use of the trams, which are the public transport mainstay in their towns, but Blackpool refuse to budge and I don't think there's anything Lancashire County Council can do about it.

Surely the problem here is that LCC should be paying for its own residents to use the tram? It wouldn't be a problem if Blackpool Council covered the whole Greater Blackpool area, rather than just the area within its traditional municipal boundary.

 

[34D]

There could be a concession for those who live in the Wyre district only. LCC would have to pay Blackpool of course....

 

[ValleyLines142]

What is the alternative now? Would it be for pensioners to use the 1, 7 and 9 bus services instead?

Or is the issue exactly the same with the buses, too?

 

[radamfi]

Passholders in the whole of England can use buses between Fleetwood and Blackpool between 0930 and 2300 weekdays, anytime weekends and public holidays.

 

[abbo1234]

I use the trams a lot and to be fair there is now a better chance of fare paying passengers getting a seat.Pensioners can get the number 1 bus which takes the same route,hardly an inconvenience.Maybe families on holiday in the summer and illumination period can also now get a seat and have a more comfortable journey.The tram system should also become more profitable which in turn means more investment,a good thing surely.At the end of the day it is a free bus pass,not a free tram pass.

 

[WatcherZero]

I speculated Blackpool had a much higher elderly usage, ive now got the figures.

39% of passengers are non fare paying compared to 19% on Metrolink. 44% of Blackpool passengers are over 60, 27% of Blackpool passengers are commuters versus 55% on Metrolink.

Overall im impressed that the 'commuter' focused refurbishment of the network appears to have been a success at drawing in daily users in addition to tourists, I doubt it was 27% before the Flexitys!