In light rail news this week – Metro services to extend to Library, Edinburgh driver is ‘tramtastic’, fare changes in Blackpool, works affect purple line trams in Sheffield and LRSSB issues new rail break guidance.
Senior figures from across the light rail sector have been provided with direct access to a top civil servant from the Department for Transport (DfT) this week at a meeting organised by UKTram.
Erum Mussa, Deputy Head of Local Passenger Transport (whose remit includes responsibility for light rail) joined members of the organisation’s Executive Group for their first meeting of 2022, updating them on organisational restructuring at the DfT and its future priorities.
Stressing the importance of integrated transport networks, she also praised UKTram and its members for providing the government with valuable data on the impact of restrictions on services during the coronavirus pandemic.
She also noted the hard work of UKTram in developing a comprehensive strategy for the future of Light Rail, and the sector’s response to the Rail Accident Investigation Branch report into the Sandilands tragedy and you can read the full story here.
In other light rail news:
West Midlands Metro
The ongoing repairs to the West Midlands Metro tram fleet are progressing well and the operator expects to be able to return regular services to Grand Central and the Library by January 30, subject to tram availability.
A service between Wolverhampton and Bull Street has been maintained over the last month and this was achieved with a mix of fully repaired trams from the existing fleet and some new vehicles we were able to fast track into service.
You can read the full update on services here.
Edinburgh Trams
Edinburgh tram driver Richard Anderson has been recognised for his outstanding customer service skills in the company’s ‘You Are Tramtastic’ award scheme.
Richard was praised for helping a colleague deal with a group of youngsters that were behaving antisocially on a tram, remaining calm throughout and staying onboard until the youths dispersed.
Edinburgh Trams’ employee recognition scheme ‘You Are Tramtastic’ awards colleagues with a monthly prize, with the annual winner being decided each year by the Edinburgh Trams Board of Directors. Click here to read more
Blackpool Transport
Blackpool Transport has announced changes to prices from January 16, with single tram tickets rising to £2.60 for adults and £1.30 for children. The cost of return trips is changing to £4.50 for adults and £2.50 for children.
The best value day and season ticket products can be purchased on the BPL app with a 24-hour bus and tram ticket available for £5.50 and full details of the changes can be found here.
Sheffield Supertram
Due to essential works being carried out by Sheffield City Council in the Herdings area, some temporary changes to services will affect the Purple route to ensure the safety of staff and contractors working in the area.
Between Tuesday, January 18 and Friday, January 21 Purple route services will divert to operate to/from Birley Lane with no service at Herdings Leighton Road or Herdings Park.
Further works on the network are scheduled between Monday the 24th and Wednesday 26th (inclusive) and full details can be found here.
LRSSB
Specific guidance on how to manage rail breaks and minimise the resulting disruption to services has been published by the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board.
Following an extensive consultation process and peer review, it is now available to download from the growing online reference library here.
Extensive research had gone into the new guidance, and the LRSSB has since welcomed comments from light rail owners, operators and maintainers to make sure every possible aspect was covered. To read the full story, click 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.