When Northern Railway announced a new ticketing deal with Blackpool Transport, commuters and tourists alike got a reason to smile.
Starting July 7, 2025, passengers heading to either Blackpool North or Blackpool South stations can add an unlimited‑travel Day Saver for the local bus and tram network straight onto their rail ticket. The move, rolled out during Better Transport Week, promises a smoother hop‑on‑hop‑off experience that’s been missing for years.
- Launch date: 7 July 2025
- Applicable stations: Blackpool North & South
- Ticket purchase channels: Northern app, website, ticket machines, office counters
- First‑time users: Estimated 250,000 tram riders since June 2024
- Broader reach: Part of a wider inter‑operator ticketing push across the north of England
Why integrated ticketing matters
Back in 2022, Northern’s ticket offices let you buy a tram pass face‑to‑face, but that required a trip to a staffed counter – a hurdle for many. The new digital solution eliminates that friction, letting you click a box labeled "Blackpool North Bus/Tram" or "Blackpool South Bus/Tram" while you’re still on the booking screen.
Travel experts have long argued that fragmented fare systems discourage public transport use. By bundling rail and surface travel, the partnership tackles one of the biggest pain points: having to juggle separate tickets, queues, and cash.
How the partnership works
Buy a standard rail ticket to Blackpool, then select the Day Saver add‑on. The system automatically generates a QR code that works on every Blackpool Transport bus and tram, from the iconic Blackpool Tramway that snakes along the seafront to the inland bus routes serving the town centre.
Behind the scenes, Northern’s ticketing engine communicates with Blackpool Transport’s fare system in real‑time. That data exchange was tested during a pilot period over the summer of 2024, where a handful of regular commuters tried the new flow. The feedback? "It just works," said one rider from Liverpool.
Technically, the integration leans on the open‑standard National Ticketing Framework, which both operators agreed to adopt last year. The framework ensures that the QR code carries both a rail journey identifier and a bus‑tram entitlement, readable by contactless readers on every vehicle.
Voices from the front line
"Anyone taking the train into Blackpool can now look forward to a more seamless travel experience when using public transport to get to work or for a visit to the town's top attractions," said James Clough, Finance and Commercial Director of Blackpool Transport. His enthusiasm was palpable – the numbers back him up.
Since the first trams began serving Blackpool North Station in June 2024, more than 250,000 trips have logged at that stop alone. "That demand shows people are hungry for easy connections," Clough added.
On the rail side, Tricia Williams, Managing Director of Northern, framed the move as a customer‑centric safety net. "This agreement is about doing the right thing for our customers when things don't go according to plan," she explained. "Sadly, things do go wrong from time to time, so we've worked closely with colleagues at East Midlands Railway and TransPennine Express to design a policy which will keep our towns and cities across the North connected in times of disruption."
Williams also highlighted that the Blackpool deal is the latest piece in a puzzle that includes new ticket‑acceptance arrangements with East Midlands Railway and TransPennine Express, effective June 22, 2025. Those agreements, part of the government‑led public ownership programme launched in December 2024, let passengers switch to any of the three operators if a service is cancelled.
Impact on travellers and the local economy
For a seaside resort that draws over 6 million visitors a year, smoother transit could translate into longer stays and higher spend. Local hotel owner Maria Sanchez told us that families often complain about juggling tickets. "If we can hop off the train and be on a tram without hunting for change, we’ll see more people exploring the promenade and the amusement parks," she said.
Commuters benefit too. Many Blackpool residents work in surrounding towns like Preston or Lancaster, taking the train in the morning and the bus back home. The new Day Saver means one ticket covers the whole journey – a small but meaningful saving on both time and money.
Environmental groups are watching closely. Integrated ticketing encourages public transport use, which could shave a few thousand tonnes of CO₂ off the region’s annual emissions. The local council’s transport officer, Emma Harper, noted, "Every extra rider on a tram instead of a car moves us closer to our net‑zero target for 2030."
Future steps and wider cooperation
The Blackpool experiment may serve as a template for other tourist hubs. Manchester, with its bustling Metrolink, has already floated similar talks with Northern, though no formal deal is in place yet.
Meanwhile, the rail landscape is shifting. Since the public ownership programme began, there’s been a push to break down silos between operators. If the partnership succeeds, we could see a national "one‑ticket‑any‑service" model roll out by the end of 2026.
For now, passengers at Blackpool North Station and Blackpool South Station can simply tap their phones or print a QR code and enjoy the ride – no more juggling paper tickets or hunting for change.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the new ticket work for tourists staying only one day?
A visitor can buy a standard return rail ticket to Blackpool and add the Day Saver for the same price as a single‑day bus‑tram pass. The QR code is valid from the moment they step off the train until the end of service that day, letting them hop on any bus or tram without extra cost.
What if my train is delayed – can I still use the bus‑tram ticket?
Yes. The Day Saver is time‑independent; as long as the ticket is valid for the date of travel, you can board a bus or tram at any time, even if you miss your originally scheduled train.
Are there any discounts for regular commuters?
Commuters can combine a season rail pass with the Day Saver add‑on at a reduced rate. Northern is rolling out a £5 discount for monthly rail‑pass holders who add the bus‑tram component.
How does this partnership fit into the wider rail cooperation across the North?
The Blackpool deal follows similar ticket‑sharing agreements with East Midlands Railway and TransPennine Express, all launched in June 2025. Together they form a pilot network where passengers can switch between operators without buying new tickets, a step toward a fully integrated national system.
When did the tram service to Blackpool North Station start?
The first tram connected directly to Blackpool North Station in June 2024, and within a year more than a quarter‑million passengers used that stop, showing strong demand for rail‑tram integration.
