In this week’s news from the light rail sector – Shuttle driver organises military vehicle parade in Stourbridge, free travel for veterans in Edinburgh and Nottingham students hear about the benefits of travelling by tram.
A fresh approach to the way light rail is defined has the potential to transform connectivity in small and medium-sized UK cities.
That’s the view of sector experts who are working with local authorities and other organisations on a range of project proposals that embrace new technology to drive down the cost of future transport networks.
Over the past decade, advances in very light and ultra-light rail have seen them become an increasingly viable option for towns and cities looking for cost-effective ways to reduce congestion, attract inward investment and improve the local environment.
Colin Robey of the UKTram Centre of Excellent says the sector now needs a new mindset that embraces these alternatives to existing types of tramways if it is to compete with other modes of public transport. For the full story, click here.
In other light rail news:
Stourbridge Shuttle
Driver, David Spruce, has organised a military vehicle parade which will see around 25 military vehicles travel through Stourbridge Town Centre on Saturday, November 12.
David and his friends had for many years displayed their military vehicles in the town by the clock to raise funds for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.
The display has not taken place for a few years since the space was allocated to a trader and then the Covid pandemic struck. This year however, David decided it was time to get the display up and running again and bring it back to life and you can read more here.
NET
Representatives from NET have joined Nottingham Trent University’s Wellbeing and Safety Fair to talk to students about the unique features that make the tram one of the safest ways to travel around Nottingham.
With tram stops at the University and throughout the city centre and surrounding areas, and student season tickets offering great value on unlimited travel, the tram is the easiest way to enjoy everything that Nottingham has to offer.
In addition to being reliable and affordable, NET also prioritises the safety of its passengers and has unique features to ensure that everyone feels comfortable when travelling by tram, especially when alone or late at night, as reported here.
Edinburgh Trams
Armed services veterans, and serving members of the Army, Air Force and Navy, are being offered free tram travel to this year’s Remembrance events in Edinburgh.
In a further mark of respect, poppies will be on display in tram windows ahead of Remembrance Sunday on November 13.
On both November 11, the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I, and Remembrance Sunday, past and present members of the armed services will be able to enjoy free travel by wearing their uniform or showing their military ID. For the full story, click here.
Tyne & Wear Metro
The first steps have been taken on a business case to support an extension of the Tyne and Wear Metro to Washington.
Transport North East has published the first steps of the business case, for approval by the North East Joint Transport Committee (JTC), for a new Metro connection from Pelaw to South Hylton, via Washington, with new stations proposed in Follingsby, Washington North and Washington South.
The business case forecasts that the new ‘Washington Metro Loop’ will cost £745m to deliver, which includes additional new Metro trains to support extra services on the line and you can read more 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.