Blackpool Trams News

[Blackpool boy]

You are the one who didn't take into account about how many trams Blackpool Transport has (18 Trams) compared to how many trams the current standard service requires (11 Trams) so of course I'm going to point that out.

Who says i didn't take it into account?

I'm not suggesting that all 18 Trams should be out and running, but they should be using as much of the Fleet as they Possibily can during the busiest times of year, and having over a 3rd of the fleet sat in the depot is the least efficient way of doing it.

Im trying to be realistic here and i understand there may be issues that we all dont know about which is keeping them from providing more trams in service rather than repeating the same old same old day after day like its somehow going to get better if you mention the same stuff over and over

(And This isn't taking the number of B fleet Trams into consideration either)

People really need to let the B fleet issue go.

The 5/25 minute headway is shambolic. When I was in Blackpool last week I checked the tram times and if I had more than 15 minutes wait I would go into Coral Island or something just to kill time. The fact of the matter is, I shouldn't have to do that.

you shouldnt and its not the best but without detailed inside information then we have to deal with what is provided and stop going round in circles abotu they have x amount of trams why are they only providing x amount of trams

 

[ValleyLines142]

you shouldnt and its not the best but without detailed inside information then we have to deal with what is provided and stop going round in circles abotu they have x amount of trams why are they only providing x amount of trams

It's just a shame as it really does have potential.

 

[Blackpool boy]

It's just a shame as it really does have potential.

It does. Im sure they will iron it all out going forward. Its really not the end of the world that some people are trying to make out

 

[Harvey B]

Who says i didn't take it into account?

Well you clearly didn't take that into account because you said the Following:

Any major timetable improvements will only come about in a major way if they buy more trams

They have 18 Trams in their fleet and only need 11 on a daily basis to run the standard time timetable so there's no need to buy any additional Trams in order to increase the service frequency of Trams on the main Promanade section between Starr Gate and Little Bispham.

I highly doubt that Blackpool Transport will order anymore new Trams unless work starts the proposed extensions to Lytham and/or Poulton?

It does. Im sure they will iron it all out going forward. Its really not the end of the world that some people are trying to make out

What do you think is needed to help improve/Iron out the issues?

 

[Bovverboy]

The 5/25 minute headway is shambolic.

It's slightly worse than that I'm afraid. From North Pier to Starr Gate there are 30-minute gaps between 2055 and 2125, and between 2255 and 2325. In the opposite direction there's a 30-minute gap between 2230 and 2300.
Not quite the same thing, of course, but between North Pier and Fleetwood there are 30-minute gaps between 0519 and 0719, and between 0749 and 0819. In the opposite direction the 30-minute service is 0610 to 0810, and 0840 to 0910.

 

[Blackpool boy]

Well you clearly didn't take that into account because you said the Following:

you appear to misunderstand the word 'Major' one or two extra trams in service is not going to provide the timetable miracle you appear to be searching for

They have 18 Trams in their fleet and only need 11 on a daily basis to run the standard time timetable so there's no need to buy any additional Trams in order to increase the service frequency of Trams on the main Promanade section between Starr Gate and Little Bispham.

We know how many they have in their fleet - you don't have to keep parroting this every time you post, you have made your point

I highly doubt that Blackpool Transport will order anymore new Trams unless work starts the proposed extensions to Lytham and/or Poulton

adn those ideas are very far from any sort of reality so spend the money on more trams first

What do you think is needed to help improve/Iron out the issues?

Ive told you - for any major timetable issues then a few more trams would help greatly.

 

[Harvey B]

you appear to misunderstand the word 'Major' one or two extra trams in service is not going to provide the timetable miracle you appear to be searching for

I Wasn't talking about one or 2 additional ones. They could have upto 5 additonal Flexities out running Promanade Specials to Little Bispham and back. That would easily sort

We know how many they have in their fleet - you don't have to keep parroting this every time you post, you have made your point

I don't think you understand that the "Shortage of Trams" isn't the issue that's preventing them from increasing the frequency.

It's the shortage of Staff and also the shortage of a sizable budget that will allow them to run a full service and to employ the staff.

adn those ideas are very far from any sort of reality so spend the money on more trams first

Ive told you - for any major timetable issues then a few more trams would help greatly.

Firstly, Even if you ordered two additional Trams (Starr Gate can only hold two more Trams) you'd still have the same problems that you have now.
Focus in Adequetly staffing the Tram service first before ordering any additional Trams

Secondly, If you ordered more than two additional Trams, then where would the other Trams be stored? Starr Gate only has room for 20 Flexity 2s. A new depot has to be built in order to accomodate more trams.

Finally, Rigby Road is out of action for the forseeable future, meaning that Heritage Trams have to operate out of Starr Gate so what are you supposed to do with the Heritage Trams if two more Flexities were ordered?

 

[philthetube]

So the solution of making trams even more crammed surely won't help that situation?

Plus, that can be resolved if Blackpool Transport pushed towards more off tram ticket sales such as the app. Also possibly removing some conductors from trams and having them sell tickets instead at key stations. As daft as it sounds (why would people pay before boarding if they can get on and there is a good chance of them not being asked to pay) but many would likely pay for it.

one of the important things conductors do is control the numbers of disabled buggies etc, there are loads of users in Blackpool during the summer and having the whole tram blocked by them on occasions would be inevitable without someone to prevent this,

Does Blackpool Transport not have Sundays inside the working week?

yes

Would it not be better to have 1x Conductor on the Trams and have the Fares collected by the Inspectors who are on the Platform instead?

There is no gain there, the staff are still needed, plus travelling time, security for cash, toilet facilities etc.

Jesus christ so how are they going to solve the problems of this new abomination of a Timetable before if their plan is to not run any Specials at all?

Can't open an extension on the most bare bones timetable ever as your heading into the busiest season for Demand for the Trams at Blackpool.

They need to either. A) Rethink the timetable before the Summer Holidays or B) have Pleasure Beach to Bispham Specials running on a Daily basis from the Start of the Sunmer Holidays to the start of November

Specials are only sent out if there are spare crews to operate them, they are not timetabled.

 

[Blackpool boy]

I Wasn't talking about one or 2 additional ones. They could have upto 5 additonal Flexities out running Promanade Specials to Little Bispham and back. That would easily sort

Again, YOU don't know why they don't have further trams out running this service and as a local id prefer if they had any extra trams out to be doing more than just accommodating enthusiasts and tourists by running one of the 3 routes in full

I don't think you understand that the "Shortage of Trams" isn't the issue that's preventing them from increasing the frequency.

It's the shortage of Staff and also the shortage of a sizable budget that will allow them to run a full service and to employ the staff.

They have always been affected by shortage of even employed staff however ive not heard it confirmed that they are nto running more trams in service due to a lack of staff being the sole issue

Firstly, Even if you ordered two additional Trams (Starr Gate can only hold two more Trams) you'd still have the same problems that you have now.

Why are you fixated on only 2 more trams?

Focus in Adequetly staffing the Tram service first before ordering any additiinal Trams

Order more trams and staff those extra trams and the depot properly you mean

Secondly, If you ordered more than two additional Trams, then where would the other Trams be stored? Starr Gate only has room for 20 Flexity 2s. A new depot has to be built in order to accomodate more trams.

You don't need to extend star gate really - you can store trams in the loop *

inally, Rigby Road is out of action for the forseeable future, meaning that Heritage Trams have to operate out of Starr Gate so what are you supposed to do with the Heritage Trams if two more Flexities were ordered?

* And yes we are aware of Rigby Road issue however you would hope that if they were buying some more trams that they would find the money to sort out the depot too - cos the trams will take a few years to come online anyway so you would hope the issues would be sorted by then if they employed a bit of joined up thinking.

 

[Cliveblackpool]

The original plan was to have the North Station serviced by trams starting at Star Gate to BPN then onto Little Bispham and same in reverse. Frequency every 20 minutes.
Two extra trams were bought to cover this route.
IMO going all the way from Fleetwood is a bit optimistic! (and expensive)
Having the North Station from Bispham running say 5/7 minutes after Fleetwood to Stargate tram would allow Fleetwood etc customers to change and go to BPN. The 07.40 tram from Fleetwood is often nearly full.
The present service from North of the Tower is no use for commuters. IMO it is poor that no trams from Fleetwood to BPN arrive before 09.20.
- Missing the 08.55 service to Manchester, 09.05 train to Liverpool and a 09.19 service to Leeds and York! And those commuting to work in upper Town Centre etc.
Work on the site is now stopped. I assume there will be level access from Dickenson Road (parallel to tram tracks) to use the underpass for rail and tram station?

 

[Alvin_official]

The original plan was to have the North Station serviced by trams starting at Star Gate to BPN then onto Little Bispham and same in reverse. Frequency every 20 minutes.
Two extra trams were bought to cover this route.
IMO going all the way from Fleetwood is a bit optimistic! (and expensive)
Having the North Station from Bispham running say 5/7 minutes after Fleetwood to Stargate tram would allow Fleetwood etc customers to change and go to BPN. The 07.40 tram from Fleetwood is often nearly full.
The present service from North of the Tower is no use for commuters. IMO it is poor that no trams from Fleetwood to BPN arrive before 09.20.
- Missing the 08.55 service to Manchester, 09.05 train to Liverpool and a 09.19 service to Leeds and York! And those commuting to work in upper Town Centre etc.
Work on the site is now stopped. I assume there will be level access from Dickenson Road (parallel to tram tracks) to use the underpass for rail and tram station?

Surely commuters from Fleetwood would just use anymore Fleetwood - Starr Gate bound service?

 

[Bovverboy]

Cliveblackpool said

The present service from North of the Tower is no use for commuters.

Bovverboy's response

Passengers from the vicinity of Talbot Square can catch a tram to North Station from 0534 (Mons to Fris). Those from North of Talbot Square can reach North Station from 0709 by changing at Tower, or, for a more comfortable connection, by walking from North Pier (Southbound) to Talbot Square.

Cliveblackpool said

IMO it is poor that no trams from Fleetwood to BPN arrive before 09.20.

Bovverboy's response

It isn't obvious from the pdf timetable, but after the first tram from Fleetwood to North Station (arriving 0915) there is then an hour's gap, with the second arriving at 1015.

(Sorry, I couldn't manage to do a normal reply, I don't know why not).

 

[Cliveblackpool]

North of Tower - I was referring to stops all the way to Bispham and beyond.

Today has had its problems, after a good start.

Tram - Fleetwood to Starr Gate

Timetable for Tram - Fleetwood to Starr Gate

www.blackpooltransport.com

• Tram Disruption
  Today 13:37 - 22:30
  Unfortunately due to limited resources the following tram services will not operate:
  
  RTE D:
  (T2) 18:45 - SG - N Station
  (T2) 19:15 - N Station - SG
  (T2) 19:45 - SG - N Station
  (T2) 20:15 - N Station - SG
  (T2) 20:45 - SG - N Station
  (T3) 21:30 - N Station - Fleetwood Ferry
  (T2) 22:25 - Fleetwood Ferry - Talbot Sq
  
  Sorry for the inconvenience.
• Tram Disruption
  Today 13:32 - 22:35
  Unfortunately due to limited resources the following tram services will not operate:
  
  RTE B:
  (T2) 18:15 - SG - N Station
  (T2) 18:45 - N Station - SG
  
  RTE D:
  (T2) 18:45 - SG - N Station
  (T2) 19:15 - N Station - SG
  (T2) 19:45 - SG - N Station
  (T2) 20:15 - N Station - SG
  (T2) 20:45 - SG - N Station
  (T3) 21:30 - N Station - Fleetwood Ferry
  (T2) 22:25 - Fleetwood Ferry - Talbot Sq
  
  The (T2) service 18:15-18:45 will be covered by a tram replacement bus. Sorry for the inconvenience
• Tramway Trips Not Operating 27/06/2024
  26th Jun 2024 onwards
  Due to staff sickness the following journeys on our tram network will not operate:
  
  (T2) 18:15 - Starr Gate - North Station
• Evening services affected (see link)

 

[Harvey B]

North of Tower - I was referring to stops all the way to Bispham and beyond.

Today has had its problems, after a good start.

Tram - Fleetwood to Starr Gate

Timetable for Tram - Fleetwood to Starr Gate

www.blackpooltransport.com

• Tram Disruption
  Today 13:37 - 22:30
  Unfortunately due to limited resources the following tram services will not operate:
  
  RTE D:
  (T2) 18:45 - SG - N Station
  (T2) 19:15 - N Station - SG
  (T2) 19:45 - SG - N Station
  (T2) 20:15 - N Station - SG
  (T2) 20:45 - SG - N Station
  (T3) 21:30 - N Station - Fleetwood Ferry
  (T2) 22:25 - Fleetwood Ferry - Talbot Sq
  
  Sorry for the inconvenience.
• Tram Disruption
  Today 13:32 - 22:35
  Unfortunately due to limited resources the following tram services will not operate:
  
  RTE B:
  (T2) 18:15 - SG - N Station
  (T2) 18:45 - N Station - SG
  
  RTE D:
  (T2) 18:45 - SG - N Station
  (T2) 19:15 - N Station - SG
  (T2) 19:45 - SG - N Station
  (T2) 20:15 - N Station - SG
  (T2) 20:45 - SG - N Station
  (T3) 21:30 - N Station - Fleetwood Ferry
  (T2) 22:25 - Fleetwood Ferry - Talbot Sq
  
  The (T2) service 18:15-18:45 will be covered by a tram replacement bus. Sorry for the inconvenience
• Tramway Trips Not Operating 27/06/2024
  26th Jun 2024 onwards
  Due to staff sickness the following journeys on our tram network will not operate:
  
  (T2) 18:15 - Starr Gate - North Station
• Evening services affected (see link)

This definitley proves how serious the Tranway Staff Shortages are at Blackpool Transport (and it also proves how severely low the Tramway Operations budget is)

 

[Bovverboy]

North of Tower - I was referring to stops all the way to Bispham and beyond.

Talbot Square is North of Tower.

To be able to reach North Station by 0709 - is that of no use for commuters?



Tramway Trips Not Operating 28/06/2024
27th Jun 2024 onwards
Due to staff sickness the following journeys on our tram network will not operate:

(T2) 20:15 - Starr Gate - North Station
(T2) 20:45 - North Station - Starr Gate
(T2) 21:15 - Starr Gate - North Station
(T2) 21:45 - North Station - Starr Gate
(T2) 22:15 - Starr Gate - North Station
(T2) 22:45 - North Station - Starr Gate

We are hoping to be able to provide a replacement bus for these journeys and will keep you updated. We are sorry for any inconvenienced caused.

This definitley proves how serious the Tranway Staff Shortages are at Blackpool Transport (and it also proves how severely low the Tramway Operations budget is)

If BT is able to provide a bus driver but not a tram driver, does that not mean that it has not enough staff trained as tram drivers?

Bus substitution is of limited use, since the replacement buses generally stop at bus stops and not tram stops, and the two are often not particularly close to each other. Talbot Square does not get served at all.

What are RTE B and RTE D?

 

[Vespa]

If BT is able to provide a bus driver but not a tram driver, does that not mean that it has not enough staff trained as tram drivers?

It does take time to train tram drivers, bus drivers with pcv licence can come from Manchester or Glasgow and immediately drive a Blackpool bus after learning the route.

I suspect the salary is not high enough, spoke to somebody there he said they get about £25,500 a year which while sufficient would struggle to recruit against higher salaries elsewhere.

 

[Tramfan]

Talbot Square is North of Tower.

To be able to reach North Station by 0709 - is that of no use for commuters?



Tramway Trips Not Operating 28/06/2024
27th Jun 2024 onwards
Due to staff sickness the following journeys on our tram network will not operate:

(T2) 20:15 - Starr Gate - North Station
(T2) 20:45 - North Station - Starr Gate
(T2) 21:15 - Starr Gate - North Station
(T2) 21:45 - North Station - Starr Gate
(T2) 22:15 - Starr Gate - North Station
(T2) 22:45 - North Station - Starr Gate


We are hoping to be able to provide a replacement bus for these journeys and will keep you updated. We are sorry for any inconvenienced caused.



If BT is able to provide a bus driver but not a tram driver, does that not mean that it has not enough staff trained as tram drivers?

Bus substitution is of limited use, since the replacement buses generally stop at bus stops and not tram stops, and the two are often not particularly close to each other. Talbot Square does not get served at all.

What are RTE B and RTE D?

RTE B and RTE D are the tram diagram letters, not sure why they've included them on the website.

 

[Bovverboy]

RTE B and RTE D are the tram diagram letters

That was my suspicion. Are the relevant tram diagrams 'RTE B' and 'RTE D' or simply 'B' and 'D'? What do they go up to? K?

It does take time to train tram drivers

You would think they would ensure they had enough tram drivers before opening the extension. Not only does the new network require two extra trams, there is also an enhanced evening service compared to the previous timetable. I reckon an additional ten or a dozen drivers would have been needed.

 

[Harvey B]

Again, YOU don't know why they don't have further trams out running this service

It's been mentioned Numerous times on this Thread (and Numerous times by people on British Trams Online) that Staff Shortages are the issue currently plauging the tramway with problems.

as a local id prefer if they had any extra trams out to be doing more than just accommodating enthusiasts and tourists by running one of the 3 routes in full

And they have more than enough Trams in their fleet to cover an increased service.

I think it'd be overkill to have all 3 routes ran in full. You'd go from not having enough trams to having too many trams for a full timetable

They have always been affected by shortage of even employed staff however ive not heard it confirmed that they are nto running more trams in service due to a lack of staff being the sole issue

I'm having my doubts about how valid your sources are. You are the only one on here who's saying that the lack of Trams is the issue

Why are you fixated on only 2 more trams?

Because Starr Gate can only hold a Maximum of 20 Flexity 2s (They currently have 18). Unless they decide to extend it in the future

How many more Trams do you think they need to order?

Order more trams and staff those extra trams and the depot properly you mean

No. I simply mean just Staff the current amount of Trams that they've currently got properly.

If it wasn't for Staff Shortages, They'd be more than capable of running a timetable that requires 15 trams during the summer. However it'd need a complete rethink of the timetable.

I think it'd probably be best if they used the original proposed timetable for the extension (every 20 mins Starr Gate to Fleetwood, Every 20 min SG/Pleasure Beach to Bispham/Little B via North Station) and I have a feeling they could pull it off using 15 Trams.

(it'd be miles better than the T1/T2/T3 shambles that they currently have.)

Even old timetable that they had until two weeks ago (Every 15 Mins SG to Fleetwood via NS) would have been miles better than the T1/T2/T3 Shambles in the Short Term and it could have still required no more than 13 Trams to run (14 if you count the one in reserve)

You don't need to extend star gate really - you can store trams in the loop *

Not Possible. The Loop is open to the Elements (meaning they are both Vulnerable to Salt damage and Vandalism).

You'd have to either: A) enclose the loop and move the Tram Wash, B) Extend/Expand Starr Gate Depot so it can accommodate more Trams or C) build a completely nee depot from the ground up.

* And yes we are aware of Rigby Road issue however you would hope that if they were buying some more trams that they would find the money to sort out the depot too - cos the trams will take a few years to come online anyway so you would hope the issues would be sorted by then if they employed a bit of joined up thinking.

Are you suggesting that any additional Flexity 2 Trams should be stored at Rigby Road?

Heritage and LRT are 2 seperate operations so I highly doubt that it LRT Trams would ever go to Rigby Road.

I'm going to be honest, The progress at Rigby Road is stalling and judging by the speed at how that's going, an order for any additional Flexities would probably put the Heritage fleet offline for a few years (assuming they can no longer run from Starr Gate)

 

[davehsug]

I must admit to being amazed a few days ago when reading that BT no longer employ seasonal staff. How does any business in a major holiday resort run efficiently without them? I know back in the 70s and 80s, my best friend from childhood moved there in the late 1970s as a seasonal conductor, (we both harboured the ambition to be tram drivers - unlikely for 2 boys from Stoke I know), at the end of the season, he was then given bus driver training, and employed full time, he then did tram driver training and drove trams in the summer and buses in the winter, before becoming a year-round tram driver. It seems that an entire career progression from seasonal conductor to full time tram driver has been closed off. At least starting as seasonal meant that the peoople taken on knew if they could handle the unsocial hours and working week.

 

[Bovverboy]

I think it'd probably be best if they used the original proposed timetable for the extension (every 20 mins Starr Gate to Fleetwood, Every 20 min SG/Pleasure Beach to Bispham/Little B via North Station) and I have a feeling they could pull it off using 15 Trams.

It's my recollection that the original intention was to have three separate services, as has prevailed. Diverting every other journey via North Station wouldn't have worked anyway, since, in order to have even headways on the common sections north and south of North Pier you would need to have the trams taking twenty minutes to go from Talbot Square to North Station and back, and that I think would be unacceptable on a through service, and pointless anyway, since it would take longer to go via North Station than to simply wait for the next through tram.
You could run every other tram via North Station, of course, but not advertise it as a through service, in which case the level of service suggested could probably be provided using thirteen trams. Having the North Station trams doubling back from whence they have come (as generally happens now) would require the same number.
I think you would find that a twenty minute service between Bispham/Little Bispham and Cleveleys/Fleetwood would prove inadequate (without additional extras), as it is for much of the time now, even on a fifteen minute service.

 

[JD2168]

Could Blackpool Transport not run the Trams every 15 minutes along the full route with every tram via the station.

If not enough trams every 15 minutes from Pleasure Beach to Fleetwood with every 30 minutes to Starr Gate.

 

[Bovverboy]

Could Blackpool Transport not run the Trams every 15 minutes along the full route with every tram via the station.

I reckon that would need ten trams - i.e. one less than at present! That's because you wouldn't need the long lie-overs at North Station (T3) and Starr Gate (T1).
Through passengers might not be too happy about going on a diversion, though - it would add at least six minutes to the journey time, I estimate.

If not enough trams every 15 minutes from Pleasure Beach to Fleetwood with every 30 minutes to Starr Gate.

To save a tram as a consequence of that you'd need to accelerate the service ever so slightly. Then you'd have an excessive lie-over time at Starr Gate (about twenty minutes).

 

[Harvey B]

I reckon that would need ten trams - i.e. one less than at present! That's because you wouldn't need the long lie-overs at North Station (T3) and Starr Gate (T1).
Through passengers might not be too happy about going on a diversion, though - it would add at least six minutes to the journey time, I estimate.



To save a tram as a consequence of that you'd need to accelerate the service ever so slightly. Then you'd have an excessive lie-over time at Starr Gate (about twenty minutes).

Could the 15 minute frequency (With every Tram Starr Gate to Fleetwood Via North Station) be possible on 12 trams just to cut out the excessive wait times?

 

[Bovverboy]

Could the 15 minute frequency (With every Tram Starr Gate to Fleetwood Via North Station) be possible on 12 trams just to cut out the excessive wait times?

Using twelve trams, you'd have more waiting time than ever.

 

[JD2168]

I reckon that would need ten trams - i.e. one less than at present! That's because you wouldn't need the long lie-overs at North Station (T3) and Starr Gate (T1).
Through passengers might not be too happy about going on a diversion, though - it would add at least six minutes to the journey time, I estimate.



To save a tram as a consequence of that you'd need to accelerate the service ever so slightly. Then you'd have an excessive lie-over time at Starr Gate (about twenty minutes).

Interesting it would use less Trams running every 15 minutes full route, on this basis an idea for seasonal times including Lights weekends is to run the every 15 minutes full route & every 8 minutes using additional Trams between Pleasure Beach & Train Station or extending to Bispham using the heritage tour turn round points if enough Trams to run to here. Would probably solve the capacity issues.

 

[Bovverboy]

Tram Disruption
Today 13:37 - 22:30
Unfortunately due to limited resources the following tram services will not operate:

RTE D:
(T2) 18:45 - SG - N Station
(T2) 19:15 - N Station - SG
(T2) 19:45 - SG - N Station
(T2) 20:15 - N Station - SG
(T2) 20:45 - SG - N Station
(T3) 21:30 - N Station - Fleetwood Ferry
(T2) 22:25 - Fleetwood Ferry - Talbot Sq

I see that the tram operating duty 'D', instead of doing a 21.15 North Station to Starr Gate T2, does 21.30 North Station to Fleetwood T3. Meanwhile the 21.15 arrival ex Fleetwood T3 presumably does 21.28 North Station to Starr Gate T2. Does anyone know why the two trams effectively swap duties like this? The current timetable seems to have been widely criticised for being unduly complicated, understandably.
(Superseded - see below) Another surprise is that the 22.25 journey ex Fleetwood is shown as running as a T2 but terminating at Talbot Square. In reality I gather it runs to Starr Gate as a T1. I think we can be pretty sure that it doesn't terminate at Talbot Square, if it did it would need to run to North Station to reverse.


EDIT
I was wrong above, I was getting confused between the 2225 and 2255 ex Fleetwood - the 2225 is scheduled to run to North Station. So if (on Thursday 27/6/24) the 2225 was cancelled as far as Talbot Square, the implication is that the section from Talbot Square to North Station was being covered by something else.

 

[Tramfan]

EDIT
I was wrong above, I was getting confused between the 2225 and 2255 ex Fleetwood - the 2225 is scheduled to run to North Station. So if (on Thursday 27/6/24) the 2225 was cancelled as far as Talbot Square, the implication is that the section from Talbot Square to North Station was being covered by something else.

I guess something could have been run from Starr Gate to North Station, meaning a service would've still run from Talbot Square, just from the other direction? Or possibly just poor communication from Blackpool Transport.

I see that the tram operating duty 'D', instead of doing a 21.15 North Station to Starr Gate T2, does 21.30 North Station to Fleetwood T3. Meanwhile the 21.15 arrival ex Fleetwood T3 presumably does 21.28 North Station to Starr Gate T2. Does anyone know why the two trams effectively swap duties like this? The current timetable seems to have been widely criticised for being unduly complicated, understandably.
(Superseded - see below) Another surprise is that the 22.25 journey ex Fleetwood is shown as running as a T2 but terminating at Talbot Square. In reality I gather it runs to Starr Gate as a T1. I think we can be pretty sure that it doesn't terminate at Talbot Square, if it did it would need to run to North Station to reverse.

I still can't really work out what goes on with the evening timetable... The extra T2 Starr Gate to North Station at 21:25 seems to be worked by a new tram from the Depot, no idea why this extra journey runs, but it appears to go onto the 22:00 T3 to Fleetwood. Then, because you have a random 43 minute gap in T2 North Station to Starr Gate services between 20:45 and 21:28, there is no arrival at Starr Gate to work the 21:45 T2 Starr Gate to North Station, so this appears to be another extra tram from the Depot.

There also appears to be some weirdness with the 08:45 T1 arrival at Starr Gate, which could be expected to go on to work the 09:00 T1 to Fleetwood, but this seems to change Rte letters - sometimes a new tram comes out to work the 09:00 trip, and sometimes the 08:45 arrival works it.

So for a timetable that requires 11 to operate the core day service, actually a total of 14 trams are used sometimes!

 

[Cliveblackpool]

I see that the tram operating duty 'D', instead of doing a 21.15 North Station to Starr Gate T2, does 21.30 North Station to Fleetwood T3. Meanwhile the 21.15 arrival ex Fleetwood T3 presumably does 21.28 North Station to Starr Gate T2. Does anyone know why the two trams effectively swap duties like this? The current timetable seems to have been widely criticised for being unduly complicated, understandably.
(Superseded - see below) Another surprise is that the 22.25 journey ex Fleetwood is shown as running as a T2 but terminating at Talbot Square. In reality I gather it runs to Starr Gate as a T1. I think we can be pretty sure that it doesn't terminate at Talbot Square, if it did it would need to run to North Station to reverse.

There should have been a crossover North of Talbot square platform to allow the tram from rail station to reverse. Any problems on Promenade etc etc trams could have provided a
shuttle service to Blackpool North.
The traffic on occasions I have been there has been very light. eg 8.30am Talbot square and around 10pm 21/06 from North terminus to Starr Gate 2 passengers, Fleetwood 1 passenger.
25/06 2nd last tram to Star gate 2 passengers - myself and a mate!

 

[Bovverboy]

There should have been a crossover North of Talbot square platform to allow the tram from rail station to reverse. Any problems on Promenade etc etc trams could have provided a
shuttle service to Blackpool North.

As things stand, trams are able to depart North Station, run to the North Pier (Southbound) stop, then return to North Station. So there only needs to be a very short section of the promenade route available for a shuttle service to be provided.

The traffic on occasions I have been there has been very light. eg 8.30am Talbot square and around 10pm 21/06 from North terminus to Starr Gate 2 passengers, Fleetwood 1 passenger.
25/06 2nd last tram to Star gate 2 passengers - myself and a mate!

Patronage on the Talbot Square to North Station section does vary, there are times when loadings are moderate, but they're nowhere near to being on a par with the loadings on the T1 trams passing Talbot Square. Patronage will build up over time, I imagine, but it will need to build up quite a bit yet for me to conclude that the extension to North Station has been worthwhile, then you'll have the question of capacity, which isn't adequate even now.