In this week’s news from the light rail sector – Festive celebrations in Nottingham, Santa specials in Edinburgh, late night Luas services and film showcases £3 million project on Tyne & Wear Metro.

Procurement working group

The organisation representing UK light rail is set to co-ordinate efforts to mitigate the impact of rising costs across the sector.

UKTram has established a new working group to explore joint procurement options for the operators of tramways and similar transit systems.

The combined impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing war in Ukraine have driven up costs for all sectors of the economy, and high inflation is one of the most significant challenges that faced by UKTram members. In response, the organisation has set up the group to look at cost-saving opportunities.

Read the full story here.

Future plans in the spotlight

A leading trade publication has highlighted the work being done by UKTram to drive the growth of light rail and the challenges currently faced by the sector.

In a recent issue of Tramways and Urban Transit magazine, James Hammett, UKTram Managing Director, has set out the aims behind the publication of the organisation’s Light Rail Strategy for the UK.

To read the article in full, click here.

In other light rail news:

NET

Nottingham’s tram network has fully embraced the festive spirit this year with a series of activities running throughout December to help spread some Christmas cheer among customers.

Key festive activities taking place across the tram network include the transformation of nine trams to represent Rudolph and his eight reindeer helpers, each with their own faces, noses and antlers. The trams will be seen galloping around the network until January.

On December 22, Santa and his Elf helper will be getting on board the special reindeer trams and handing out presents to children around the network. Customers are also being challenged to find 12 hidden robins around the network in a festive competition and further details can be found here.

West Midlands Metro

A full and frequent service will be in operation across the system during the festive season, with extra trams at peak times leading up to Christmas allowing customers to make the most of the seasonal celebrations.

Ray Harris, Service Delivery Director, explained that trams are now running to all stops between Wolverhampton and Edgbaston Village with the entire Metro team focused on delivering a safe, secure, reliable and sustainable service in the run-up to Christmas and beyond. For the full story, click here.

Edinburgh Trams

Sold-out tram trips with Father Christmas on board have given parents and their children the chance to kick off the festive season in style.

What’s more, all the proceeds from Gyle Santa Express have been donated to a very worthy cause.

Edinburgh Trams’ charity of the year, Breast Friends and Family, provides support for people who are currently fighting breast cancer, while also raising awareness on the disease.

Filled with laughter and squeals of delight, Gyle Santa Express ran for two consecutive days and you can read the full story here.

Luas

To help customers to make the most of the festive season, light night trams will run on both the Red and Green Lines until the early hours of the morning on selected nights over Christmas and the New Year.

Information on Luas services over Christmas and the New Year, including Night Luas services can be found here.

Tyne & Wear Metro

A new film has been released showcasing the £3m project to replace Tanners Bank Metro bridge in North Tyneside.

The film was produced by Taziker, the specialist civil engineering company which carried out the scheme on behalf of Metro operator Nexus in the summer.

The footage combines interviews with stunning footage of the bridge replacement work that was filmed using drone, go pro and timelapse and digital SLR cameras and can be viewed here.

Heritage

The enchanting Christmas by the Sea event returns to the famous Blackpool promenade this winter and Blackpool Heritage Tours will be running some Mini Festive Tours to add a little sparkle to an already magical winter setting along the coast.

The 30-minute trips offer the opportunity to enjoy the best of the Christmas by the Sea attractions, including the impressive illuminations, a free skating rink, light projection shows, artificial snowfall and more.

Onboard, there will be  a special post box with first-class delivery to Santa himself and you can read more by clicking 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.