The award, presented at the Global Light Rail Awards in London on Wednesday 4 October, celebrates and rewards the most outstanding contributors to the Global Light Rail industry.
The Vision of the Year category recognises those who have committed to delivering ambitious and ongoing improvements to light rail services.
The judges recognised Blackpool’s intention to link Blackpool North Train Station with the tracks that currently run along the promenade with a 600 metre extension. With nearly two million visitors arriving in Blackpool by train, of which at least 80% travel either to the town centre or to postcodes along the existing tramway, the economic benefits of the works are clear to see.
The prize wasn’t the only piece of silverware up for grabs on 4 October, with Blackpool Transport also being shortlisted for Medium Size Bus Operator of the Year at the nationally recognised Route One awards.
A string of award wins and nominations is testament to the ongoing commitment of the company to rejuvenate bus and tram travel across Blackpool and surrounding areas. Recent news of a £16.2m loan to secure a further 72 brand new buses by 2020 will see the bus operator run a fleet of high tech buses all under 5 years old.
Managing Director Jane Cole said “I’m absolutely delighted with our recent award success. To come away as winners of the Vision of the Year award is testament to the hard work and commitment of each of our employees who work tirelessly to deliver a premium service for our residents and visitors”.
Managing Director Jane Cole was also a recent winner herself, fighting off competition from across the North West to win Business Woman of the Year at the recent Enterprise Vision Awards held at Blackpool Winter Gardens on Friday 29 September.
With an award winning Managing Director and a team committed to changing the way public transport operates across Blackpool and the Fylde Coast we can expect further acknowledgement for the operator’s continuous investment, improvement and successes.
Blackpool Transport are shortlisted for awards at the National Transport Awards, the UK Bus Awards and the North of England Transport Awards, with winners all due to be announced in the coming months.
