Blackpool Buses in Focus in 2021

As many readers of this Blog will be by now aware preparatory work is underway on a special book covering the story of Blackpool's buses. Originally intended for publication by Rigby Road Publishing in 2018 and successively moved back as a result of intervening titles - this book will be finally published in 2021 to commemorate

One Hundred Years of Blackpool Buses

from Tilling Stevens to Alexander Dennis Ltd.

It was in 1921 that two diminutive single deckers inaugurated the town's first bus service. Ironically this ran outside the town's boundary linking Thornton Railway Station with the Fleetwood Tramroad service at Cleveleys Station - by then an important part of Blackpool Corporation Tramways. This first Corporation Tramways motor bus service came about in part as a result of terms negotiated by Blackpool Corporation with Fleetwood's Town Council in purchase of the Tramroad Company operation in 1919.

This commemorative title will reflect evolving changes in vehicles, services and branding through a century - right up to the forecast policies of Blackpool Transport Services Ltd. - successor to Blackpool's municipal transport department from 1986. Whilst images, timetables and other ephemera have been collated over the years specifically on the bus fleet and its overall operations - we are looking for further material that may be held in private collections. In particular personal images of vehicles and staff taken in the decades from 1933 up to the late 1950s.

Early timetables and covers for the years 1921 / 1922 - 1924 / 1928-31 and any related service notices are sought. Wartime and immediate postwar material is also welcome (of the bus services). Garage and Bodyshop photos are particularly important. Offers of assistance should be directed to the online contact page on this website. Help celebrate one hundred years of Blackpool's motor bus operations since 1921 - lots of fascinating history to cover.