Light rail and trams

UK light rail usage at record high

09 June 2016Tram usage in England is at a record high, with increased numbers of passenger journeys and vehicle miles, the latest annual figures from the Department for Transport (DfT) show. In 2015-16, the number of passenger journeys increased by 5.8% from...

Next stage of Midland Metro opens after delays

31 May 2016Trams began running across the centre of Birmingham yesterday on the extended Midland Metro, after the launch was delayed due to safety concerns. The first Midland Metro trams, which ran from Bull Street to New Street station and the Grand Centra...

Metrolink keeping a ‘watchful eye’ on tram-train developments

27 May 2016Manchester's Metrolink is keeping a “watchful eye” on the £60m tram-train study in South Yorkshire as it could pave the way for future opportunities and developments for the city’s light rail network, RTM has been told...

Tram passenger satisfaction at record high, but Midland Metro slips

26 May 2016Tram passenger satisfaction is higher than it has ever been following network improvements, the latest Transport Focus passenger survey has found. The 5,707 tram passengers, surveyed by Transport Focus in autumn 2015, gave the tram network an ove...

McLoughlin overrules planning inspector to give Birmingham tram extension go-ahead

19 May 2016The Birmingham tram extension from New Street to Centenary Square has gained planning permission after transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin overruled the planning inspector’s decision. McLoughlin said he disagreed with planning inspector&...

Midland Metro extension introduction delayed over safety concerns

18 May 2016Birmingham’s Midland Metro extension is facing further delays after testing identified safety concerns. Trams were scheduled to run from Bull Street to Stephenson Street from 22 May, but the service has now been put on hold indefinitely. E...

Campaigners urge Sadiq Khan to develop London tram network

10 May 2016London’s tram network should be developed along its existing bus routes, campaigners have said as they called on the newly-elected mayor of London to make developing the capital’s tram network a priority. TramForward, the campaigning...

Trams set to run on Midland Metro extension after safety checks

26 April 2016Birmingham’s Midland Metro tram extension from Birmingham New Street to the city centre is due to run from next week after successfully passing electrical safety checks. The results of the checks are now being reviewed by Midland Metro oper...

Luton Airport 24-hour light rail link to open in 2020

18 April 2016London Luton Airport (LLA) has announced plans to build a 24-hour light rail link between the airport and Luton Airport Parkway station. The 1.2 mile long rail link mass passenger transit, similar to those already used at Birmingham and Gatwick...

Blackpool tram extension comes closer as new terminal building approved

05 April 2016Plans to buy a building to become the terminal for a new Blackpool tram extension have been approved. Blackpool Council voted in favour of plans to buy the Wilkinson’s building on Talbot Road last night. The £22m extension, built to...

Tyne & Wear Metro to be publicly-run after passengers ‘let down’ by DB Regio

15 March 2016Council leaders in the north east have stated that the seven-year Tyne & Wear Metro contract with DB Regio, which is due to end in March 2017, should not be extended. In a report to the North East Combined Authority (NECA) it was noted that b...

Leeds could get tram-train link to airport

01 March 2016A tram-train service has been mooted as the preferred option for a direct rail link between Leeds and Leeds Bradford Airport. Engineering consultants WSP/Parsons Brinckerhoff suggested in a draft report submitted to West Yorkshire Combined Author...

Centro to carry out Birmingham tram line extension safety checks

19 February 2016Birmingham’s tram extension has moved a step closer after permission was granted to carry out a series of safety checks. In less time than the 13-week industry standard, Network Rail has granted a possession giving Centro, the body deliveri...

Birmingham to introduce UK’s first battery-operated trams

15 February 2016The first battery-operated trams in the UK will be introduced in Birmingham to remove the need for overhead power lines. The West Midlands Integrated Transport Authority (WMITA) has approved plans by transport delivery body Centro to retro-fit it...

NECA to review ‘poor performing’ Tyne & Wear Metro contract

01 February 2016The North East Combined Authority (NECA) is determined to cut off DB Regio from operating the Tyne & Wear Metro network when its contract expires next year if it does not improve services. The authority’s transport lead, Cllr Nick Forbe...