In light rail news this week – West Midlands Metro chooses Cancer Research for fundraising efforts, restrictions ease in Scotland, new video welcomes customers back to Tyne & Wear Metro, services resume on the Isle of Man and review of tramway ‘bible’ by the LRSSB.

Mental health support for employees has been put in the spotlight by HR professionals as the light rail sector plans for post-pandemic recovery.

As more people return to the nation’s tramways following the easing of restrictions, the ongoing impact of Covid-19 again proved the hot topic of conversation at the latest meeting of the UKTram HR Group.

Representatives from NET, West Midlands Metro, Edinburgh Trams, Sheffield Supertram, Manchester Metrolink, London Trams and Blackpool Transport also heard how operators were adjusting to new ways of working as they ramp up service levels.

You can read a full report on the meeting here.

In other light rail news:

West Midlands Metro

The network has embraced a much-loved charity and voted for it to become the ‘official’ beneficiary of the Metro team’s fundraising efforts in 2021.

Their support for Cancer Research UK got off to a flying start with a raffle that raised £300 for the organisation that means so much to so many people.

With an estimated one in two people expected to be diagnosed with cancer at some point, the disease has had an impact on the lives of many Metro employees and their families, as it has on many of its customers and you can read more here.

Edinburgh Trams

On Monday 26 April, coronavirus restrictions were eased in Scotland to Level 3 and Edinburgh Trams continues to operate at least every 15 minutes for those who need to travel by tram for exercise, to meet friends and family or any other leisure activity.

In line with the latest guidelines, Ticket Inspectors have returned to the network to help deliver a safe, reliable and customer focused service and you can read more here.

Sheffield Supertram

SYPTE is looking for a responsible, self-motivated and enthusiastic individual to come and join their Tram team to lead the development of its Safety Management System (SMS) for Supertram.

They’ll be responsible for ensuring Health, Safety, Quality and Environmental (HSQE) risks associated with the Supertram system are controlled and that assurance processes are put in place and followed and you can read more about the vacancy here.

Tyne & Wear Metro

Metro workers are starring in a new campaign video to welcome customers back to the network as lockdown eases.

The slick two-minute video – launched on Tyne and Wear Metro’s social media channels – features customer service staff welcoming people back to the network.

They explain the range of covid-secure measures which have been put in place on Metro as it looks to build back from the pandemic and restore customer confidence and you can read the full story here.

Heritage

Services are set to resume on the Manx Electric Railway, Snaefell Mountain Railway and Isle of Man Steam Railway in May.

Although service will not be running seven days per week until at least July 18, the first service on the Isle of Man’s heritage railways and tramways are planned from May 22 with the Manx Electric Railway resuming operations and you can read more here.

LRSSB

A major review of the tramway safety ‘Bible’ is outlined in the latest issue of the LRSSB Newsletter, with the organisation’s Chief Executive Carl Williams setting out the next steps of this landmark project.

There’s also news of work that’s taking place to update Fatigue Management guidance as wells as details of a project to streamline Authority to Work documentation

The newsletter also features the latest on a review of risk profiles, and you can read all about all these important initiatives here.

To be included in the next round-up, or the Members News section of the website, send your press releases to jamie.swift@uktram.org.