In this weeks light rail news – it’s ‘M for Metro’ in the West Midlands, Megabus add-on tickets from NET, more trams for Blackpool’s famous illuminations, ‘It’s Time’ campaign in Greater Manchester, Shadow Transport Secretory visits Birmingham extension works and LRSSB to distribute BSI documents following new partnership.

With tickets selling fast for a high-profile event for light rail professionals, the Edinburgh Grosvenor Hotel has released additional rooms for delegates at discounted rates – but there are only a few days left to take advantage of the offer.

The great value deal is available anyone attending the Light Rail Summit, organised by UKTram and the LRSSB, but they must book by 31st August.

Thanks to the rates negotiated by UKTram, a night at the hotel costs £60, including breakfast, for a single room and £72 for a double.

Bookings can be by emailing EventsManager@edinburghgrosvenorhotel.co.uk.

To book a place at the summit, visit the UKTram online shop here.

In other light rail news:

West Midlands Metro

An eye-catching campaign has been launched to promote the many benefits of travelling using the Metro. Utilising colourful graphics, based around the letter M for Metro, the campaign aims to remind customers that the network provides a great way to get around the region following the lifting of Covid restrictions.

It’s hoped that the campaign will also provide a welcome boost to local shops, pubs, restaurants, and other leisure venues as they look towards a post-pandemic recovery and you can read the full story here.

NET

Nottingham tram operators NET have teamed up with low-cost coach operator, megabus, to offer coach customers an add-on tram ticket for a simple and seamless journey.

Customers travelling with megabus to or from Nottingham can now add on a tram ticket priced at the standard fares of £2.40 for a single or £4.80 for a return. The offer is available from the megabus website and you can read the full story here.

Blackpool Transport

September sees the return of Blackpool’s famous light show and from this Sunday (August 29) there will be a change to tram timetables.

After the summer holidays are over, daytimes are a little bit quieter so trams will run every 15 minutes between Starr Gate and Fleetwood Ferry.

During the illuminations period, in the evening when trams are busy again, they will run up to every 7 minutes from around 5pm and you can find out more here.

Manchester Metrolink

With many people set to return to the workplace and education after the summer holidays, the Mayor of Greater Manchester is urging people to get behind the reopening of the region and to think about their travel plans.

Andy Burnham is backing the ‘It’s Time’ campaign that aims to support businesses across Greater Manchester, get people returning to work and school to consider their travel options, and encourage more people to use public transport.

It also highlights the continuing safety activity being delivered by TfGM and other transport operators. The campaign also coincides with the launch of new flexible ticketing options and you can read more here.

Tyne & Wear Metro

Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums (TWAM) and Tyne and Wear Metro are working in partnership to promote great value days out for families.

Metro is sponsoring Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums’ ‘Ways to Play’ summer events across its nine museums and galleries.

Ways to Play was developed following the museum service’s concerns around the impact of the lockdowns and Covid-19 restrictions on children’s wellbeing.  It wanted to ensure that this summer it provided lots of opportunities for children to play to help them develop all kinds of life skills whilst also keeping them mentally and physically healthy and you can read the full story here.

Extension Projects

Jim McMahon, Shadow Transport Secretary, has visited ongoing construction work on the Birmingham Westside Metro extension by Midland Metro Alliance, which is working on behalf of Transport for West Midlands.

The extension is set to link communities and commuters on Birmingham’s Broad Street and Hagley Road to the wider tram network and will serve three new stops, at Brindleyplace, Five Ways and Edgbaston Village. It is set for completion by the end of the year. You can read more about the visit, and the extension project here.

Heritage

The National Tramway Museum is sharing a behind-the-scenes look at the work of its Curatorial team of staff and volunteers.

The museum is home to a world-renowned vintage tram fleet and one of the most comprehensive collections of tramway history in the world, designated as being of National importance.

As part of the #LoveYourRailway #sustainability theme, they’re offering a glimpse into how they make sure the collections are preserved for future generations to enjoy and learn from. For the full story, click here.

LRSSB

The organisation responsible for driving light rail safety has joined forces with the British Standards Institute to make it even easier to access relevant national and international guidance documents.

Documents published by The European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) and the International Organisation for Standards (ISO) are also covered by a new distribution agreement between the BSI and the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board.

The arrangement will allow the LRSSB to purchase, review and distribute all published applicable standards for light, urban and heavy rail and will be available on request to LRSSB members.

The move follows a comprehensive review of the Tramway Principles and Guidance document and you can find out more 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.