Palladium please

Following hard on the successful entry into service last year of ten smart new buses built by MAN and Mercedes in a calming livery named by BTS as 'Palladium' - examples of the BTS fleet intended to be retained for the medium term are being given a makeover by a Blackburn firm. The upgrade reflects both internal and external features of the Mercedes vehicles - and a rendition of the new 'Palladium'; branding. This is intended to upmarket the BTS bus operation to more satisfactory levels and present a quality image on the Fylde coast.

Further orders will involve more of the same Mercedes single deck design plus new double deck models built by ADL with Blackpool being the first operator outside of London of this latest product. All will carry the Palladium branding which will supersede the yellow and black (with silver swoop) which characterised BTS buses from 2010 - a relatively short period as far as Blackpool bus liveries go.

Routes served by the new brand will be marked as 'Palladium' service on stops and BTS information points. Sadly this programme will not extend to the light rail service and Blackpool's tram fleet. This is expected to remain in Blackpool Council corporate colours (at least for the time being). Below : Number 529 stands outside the Council Offices on Market Street. All of this class are being similarly rebranded in 2016.