In this week’s news from the light rail sector –  Recruitment event in Blackpool, Harry Styles helps Edinburgh Trams to set new records, support for Dublin Pride from Luas and drivers at Tyne & Wear Metro give the thumbs up to new trains.

Edinburgh Trams

Edinburgh’s expanding tram system enjoyed a double celebration this week after announcing record-breaking passenger numbers in the run-up to its ninth birthday on Wednesday, May 31.

The previous Friday and Saturday, Edinburgh Trams saw its busiest days ever, with tens of thousands of people taking advantage of extra services laid on for fans heading to the Harry Styles concerts at the BT Murrayfield Stadium.

In total, more than 100,000 customer journeys were recorded over the two days, representing the highest daily figures since the first trams ran between Edinburgh Airport and the city centre and you can read more here.

Blackpool Transport  

A recruitment open day at the Starr Gate Tram Depot is set to take place between 10am and 4pm on Friday, June 16.

The operator is recruiting tram drivers and seasonal conductors and candidates are guaranteed a screening interview on the day and can chat to staff about their roles and explore the system’s world class vehicles.

There’s also free travel to and from the event and you can find out more here.

Manchester Metrolink 

People travelling into Manchester this weekend are being urged to plan ahead of what is expected to be the busiest day on the transport network so far due to rail strikes and major events in the city.

This week and over the weekend, more than 300,000 gig-goers are expected to see some of the world’s biggest musical acts take to the stage, with Coldplay, Arctic Monkeys and Sir Elton John playing the Etihad, Emirates Old Trafford and the AO Arena. Thousands more will also be attending the free festival, We Invented the Weekend, at MediaCity and in Salford Quays.

Dedicated travel guidance for each of the events, can be found on Transport for Greater Manchester’s website and you can read the full story here.

Luas

Luas is gearing up to help people to get to the Dublin LGBTQ+ Pride Festival that takes place from Tuesday, June  20 to Sunday June 25, with the Pride Parade taking place on Saturday, June 24. In addition to the main week of celebrations, there will be events taking place across the city throughout the month of June.

The theme for 2023 is “Protest. Remember. Celebrate” and Luas is proud to support this year’s message. Travel advice for anyone attending events is available on the Luas website and further details can be found here.

Tyne & Wear Metro 

Metro drivers have given a big thumbs up to the new Stadler Metro trains after the first few test runs out on the network.

The new trains have now completed a series of night-time tests as part of the detailed preparations to get them ready for entering service at the end of the year – a process that will carry on throughout the coming weeks and months.

Metro drivers Jon Doughty and Chris Mongan were there for the first test between South Gosforth and Monkseaton and they were left amazed by the quality and performance of the Stadler Class 555 Metro train. They likening the switch from the old fleet to the new as akin to going from a classic car to a super car and there’s more on this story here.

Heritage 

All Manx Electric Railway services to Ramsey are once again serving the Ramsey Plaza terminus after the completion of trackwork across Parsonage Road.

British Trams Online reports here that his is the first time trams have been able to regularly run to the main station terminus since 2016, although the terminus has been used at times during TT week.

The work to relay the track across the road crossing only got underway in the second week of May but thanks to rapid progress on the scheme it was possible for services to once again go across Parsonage Road from Tuesday May 22. The terminus was then officially reopened on May 24, with all services now serving the area in front of the station building once more.

LRSSB

A new initiative aimed at helping to source the most appropriate safety training for light rail operators has been launched by the LRSSB.

An initial meeting for sector professionals responsible for training is being organised to help identify gaps in current provision and the availability of suitable courses. Any training or HR managers working in the sector and interested in taking part should contact jamie.swift@lrssb.org.

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.