An experienced light rail customer services professional has been confirmed as a Non-executive Director of the sector’s representative organisation.
Following its latest Board meeting, UKTram has announced the appointment of Jo Bentley, who recently returned to Nottingham Trams Limited as Head of Customer Experience.
Having previously worked for the operator as Customer Service Manager, she went on to work for Keolis in Doha, where she set up a new customer experience department in preparation for the opening of the Metro ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
George Lowder, Chairman of UKTram, says Jo brings with her a wealth of experience that will further strengthen the Board and you can read the full story here.
In other light rail news:
NET
A joint operation between police and Nottingham’s tram network is proving a big hit in tackling antisocial behaviour.
The joint initiative between Operation Reacher officers from the Radford area has been organised as a way to reassure the public and take a strong stance on those causing issues on the trams and platforms.
In a bid to protect staff and members of the public plain-clothed officers have been patrolling both the tram carriages and platforms and you can read the full story here.
Edinburgh Trams
New technology to make travelling by tram even easier has been switched on in Edinburgh.
Upgraded platform validators, recently installed across the network, can be used by customers to touch-on their Ridacards, concession passes and other smartcards before they board the tram to ensure they are valid for travel.
Their ‘switch on’ also marks another significant step forward for the tramway as it looks forward to the launch of new services next year following the completion of the Trams to Newhaven project and you can read more here.
Tyne & Wear Metro
The third episode of That Metro Guy goes behind the scenes of the new Gosforth Metro depot to find out how the £70m project is nearing completion.
Craig Pearson, aka That Metro Guy, has become an ambassador for the Metro Futures project as it enters its most significant phase, with final production underway and the first new train set to arrive at the end of this year.
He was shown around the depot construction site, which will soon be a modern new home for the new Tyne and Wear Metro train fleet and you can read more, and find a link to the latest episode here.
Heritage
Crich Tramway Village recently celebrated a momentous day when LCC No. 1 ‘Bluebird’ moved under its own power for the first time since 1957!
The tram has been undergoing a major restoration project at Crich since 2014 to restore it to its original condition, as built in 1932.
After running in London, LCC No. 1 was sold to Leeds City Transport in 1951 and ran there until 1957, when it was donated to the British Transport Commission and displayed in their Clapham museum.
The tram was donated to the Tramway Museum Society and arrived at Crich in 1972, since then, it has been on static display and you can find out more here.
LRSSB
The Light Rail Safety and Standards Board is forging closer links with the organisation that provides an independent channel for employees to raise their safety concerns.
Working closely with CIRAS, the LRSSB has updated existing guidance on how employers engage with staff on the reporting process and produced a document specifically aimed at the light rail sector.
Mark Ashmore, LRSSB Head of Safety Assurance, explained that the guidance is based on existing advice for the wider transport industry and, following peer review, this has now been published. The full story can be found here and the guidance can be downloaded here.
To be included in the next round-up, or the Members News section of the UKTram website, send your press releases to info@uktram.org.