Catch22 in the news

The local press carried a frontpage headline today on the recent ruling by Traffic Inspectors on discrepancies in the organisational arrangements of the former Classic Bus, Oakwood Travel operations in Blackpool. This follows extended

inquiries into the companies over the past year and their modus operandi. Their ruling to cease trading of the current Catch22 business by the end of the

month - was deferred pending appeal by the Company's Director, Philip Higgs.

All of this is regrettable given the increasing popularity of some of the company's

services, most particularly the high frequency Service 6 to Grange Park from the Town Centre, and the 22 which runs to Cleveleys from Mereside. The seasonal Promenade service 12 is also affected.

Catch22 has a popular following given its low fares and friendly staff. The 2015 livery applied to several of its fleet (derived from south Wales and Cardiff urban operator) provides a colourful comparison to ubiquitous BTS yellow and black, especially on Talbot Road. More interesting for bus enthusiasts are the eclectic

diverse vehicles placed on its services. Earlier this week former Blackpool Corporation PD3 529 was caught (see previous Blog) on the 12 Service to Cleveleys by way of one example.

No doubt this local transport contratemps will finally sort itself out in due course and for the sake of the many employees of Catch22 we hope it will not result in the closure of this independent operator.