In this week’s news from the light rail sector – A major boost for light rail safety as new Accident and Incident Reporting (TAIR) system goes ‘live’, testing on a new line in Edinburgh reaches another milestone, collision footage released by Manchester Metrolink and cheaper fares for young people on Tyne and Wear Metro.
Edinburgh Trams
Testing on a new section of Edinburgh’s award-winning tram system has reached another major milestone with an expanded team of tram drivers honing their skills on the Newhaven line this week.
Around 40 new drivers, who were taken on by Edinburgh Trams as part of a successful recruitment campaign, will join their more experienced colleagues in helping to usher in a new era for the network.
Before taking the controls of a real tram on the line, they’ve received thorough training at the operator’s purpose-built learning and development facility, where a state-of-the-art simulator has familiarised them with both the existing system and almost five kilometres of new track. For the full story, click here.
Manchester Metrolink
More footage of collisions between trams and vehicles has been released as part of ongoing efforts to ensure drivers remain ‘tram aware’ when driving near the Metrolink.
In February, Transport for Greater Manchester issued a short video showing cars and heavy goods vehicles colliding with trams across the Metrolink network. The latest video again shows drivers pulling ahead of oncoming trams before the tram driver can react, resulting in damage to both vehicles.
Between April and December 2022 there were 91 car collisions with trams, with most incidents caused by driver error on the motorist’s side and you can read more here.
Tyne & Wear Metro
Nexus is to introduce cheaper Metro fares for young people who use a Pop card, meaning they will pay just £1 for a single journey and a maximum of £2.20 for unlimited daily travel.
The new fares, which come in from Sunday May 7, will expand the Pop Blue smartcard from its current 16-18 age range to anyone aged 21 and under.
Nexus, the public body which owns and operates the Tyne and Wear Metro, said the move will simplify its ticketing offer to young people, making Metro travel more affordable for them, and further details can be found here.
Extension Projects
Midland Metro Alliance is highlighting its longstanding commitment to helping improve the environment as it celebrates Earth Day.
To mark the international initiative, which is held on 22 April annually, the Midland Metro Alliance (MMA) is celebrating the contributions it has made to sustaining and improving the planet through the implementation of a number of carbon initiatives.
The alliance, which is building a number of tram extensions across the region on behalf of Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), has committed to reducing its carbon footprint during construction to help protect the environment and maintain biodiversity. For the full story, click here.
LRSSB
In a major boost for future light rail safety, an upgraded Tram Accident and Incident Reporting (TAIR) system is now ‘live’ following the completion of successful testing.
Earlier this week data was transferred from the original TAIR database, while a team of light rail safety professionals carried out extensive trials of new features designed to make the system even more effective and easier to use.
Network operators can now access the upgraded system using passwords issued during the final phase of the project, which has been led by the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board.
Alongside the transfer of data, the old TAIR system has been taken down and, as reported here, the LRSSB is now ready to step up user training on the upgraded system to ensure it achieves its full potential.
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.