UKTram has reached a significant milestone, with its Heritage Tramway community now representing all heritage tramways across the UK and British Isles.

In this week’s UK and Ireland tram and light rail roundup: Police patrols on West Midlands Metro and Tyne and Wear Metro, Edinburgh Trams promotes LRSSB safety campaign, Manchester Metrolink urges customers to plan ahead during engineering works, news station set to open in South Yorkshire, LRSSB forges closer links with BSI, Glasgow Subway set to extend opening hours, plus essential engineering works taking place on the Luas Red line. Heritage highlights include Easter fun a

KeolisAmey Metrolink has been awarded Membership status in the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, marking a significant milestone in the network’s ongoing commitment to delivering high employment standards and fostering an environment where colleagues feel valued, supported, and able to thrive.

UKTram joined industry partners in Sheffield for a collaborative event hosted by the Railway Industry Association (RIA), in partnership with Hitachi Rail and the UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN), exploring light rail opportunities across South Yorkshire and beyond.

In the latest update from UKTram members, Sika and Volkerrail highlight a new approach to tram track renewal, demonstrating how innovation can support efficiency and reduce disruption across light rail networks. Sika® and VolkerRail have delivered a world first on one of London’s busiest tram routes following the launch of a pioneering track maintenance solution developed by Sika®.

In this week's UK and Ireland tram and light rail round-up: Cardiff Crossrail Phase 1 contract awarded to GRAHAM, NET raises more than £17,000 for local causes across the city, Glasgow Subway introduces contactless pay-as-you-go ticketing and a temporary West Midlands Metro timetable ahead of new line launch. Plus, KeolisAmey Metrolink showcases VR safety campaign at Parliament, Blackpool Transport set for busy Easter weekend and improved Cutty Sark station reopening.

Representatives from across the European light rail sector gathered in Tenerife on the 11th and 12th March for the European Light Rail Congress 2026, hosted by Metrotenerife and organised by Mainspring. The annual congress brought together key people from across the sector for another successful year, to exchange updates and developments, with attendees hearing 23 presentations across the two-day programme alongside a technical tour of the Metrotenerife system.

UKTram’s Operations Manager, Steve Duckering, joined international industry colleagues at the UITP Light Rail Committee Workstream on Operations and Safety, held in Vienna on 25 February 2026.  Hosted by Wiener Linien, the meeting brought together operators and stakeholders to review key priorities and share insights on operational performance, safety, and emerging challenges across light rail networks.

In this week's UK and Ireland tram and light rail round-up: KeolisAmey secures new contract to operate Dublin’s Luas network, more network-wide International Women's Day highlights and Transport for London (TfL) marks International Bystander Awareness Day with safety campaign. Plus, Tyne and Wear Metro control room to receive £8.8m system upgrade, West Yorkshire investment pipeline backs future mass transit plans and Supertram highlights work of presentation team.

UKTram welcomes Getzner as a new member, adding technical expertise to our expanding community supporting light rail development and operations. As a global specialist in vibration-isolation solutions for railway, construction, and industrial applications, Getzner has more than 50 years of research and experience. The company works to reduce vibration and noise while improving system performance and extending the service life of infrastructure components.

UKTram’s Digital Marketing and Communications Manager, Chelsea Branch, recently joined a panel of industry professionals for a Women in Transport West Midlands Hub webinar celebrating International Women’s Day 2026.

UKTram has developed a Light Rail and Tramway Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) training course, designed to support confident and competent working for staff involved in tramway OLE maintenance and related activities.

UKTram was pleased to attend Interchange 2026, held at Manchester Central on 3rd and 4th March 2026. Described by organisers as the UK’s leading meeting place for the integrated transport infrastructure community, the event brought together clients, decision-makers and industry experts to explore how a more decarbonised, resilient and connected transport system can be delivered.

International Women’s Day, taking place on Sunday 8 March, offers an opportunity to recognise the progress made towards gender equality while reflecting on the work still to be done. This year’s theme, Give to Gain, highlights the value of supporting others and creating opportunities that allow individuals and organisations to grow together.

Plenty to get on track with in this week’s UK and Ireland tram and light rail round-up. As the sector marks International Women’s Day on Sunday 8th March, this week’s update includes several features highlighting women across the industry, alongside news from across UK and Irish networks and heritage tramways.

Women in Transport will host an online event on Tuesday, 10th March to mark International Women's Day, bringing together professionals from across the sector to discuss career journeys and opportunities in transport.

 There’s been a 4% rise in female representation in the transport sector workforce since 2023 according to the Women in Transport Equity Index. However, whilst progress is being made, continuing this upward trend remains a key priority for gender equality within the sector.

On the build up to Employee Appreciation Day KAM are shining a spotlight on the everyday stars who make their business what it is. Proper Appreciated is all about celebrating brilliant moments of kindness, teamwork and support across KAM. Through manager recognition and peer to peer shout outs, every nomination earns a limited edition pin badge, a small way of saying a big “thank you”. All nominations are shared on Traxx, their engagement platform, so colleagues can see and c

As National Careers Week 2026 focuses on the theme Own YOUR Future, UKTram and its sector partners would like to share a clear message: the future of the industry depends on the people entering it today.

UKTram is pleased to welcome Yellow Rail as the newest member of the UKTram community.  Yellow Rail, a specialist in rail engineering and asset solutions, and part of Buckland Rail, has joined the UKTram community as its newest member. Based at Litchurch Lane in Derby, one of the UK’s most established railway engineering locations, Yellow Rail delivers specialist rail engineering and overhauling, fleet support and asset recovery solutions across passenger, freight, and the li