In this week’s news from the light rail sector – enforcement action extended to more park and ride sites in Nottingham, a police operation in Manchester aims to boost travel safety and upgrades to Edinburgh’s ticket website.

UKTram

Firms operating in the light rail sector have the opportunity to find out how to access funding for projects driving innovation in the sector during an online event next week.

Organised by Granted Consultancy, the webinar on Wednesday, July 19, will explore opportunities for innovators within mass transit, mobility and related sectors.

Read more here

In other light rail news:

NET

A successful campaign targeting rule-breaking motorists at a tramway park and ride facility has been extended to two more sites in Nottingham.

Since NET introduced enforcement action at The Forest Park and Ride, more than 200 motorists have been clamped for parking outside marked bays, misusing disabled spaces, parking their car without buying a valid NET ticket, or having a valid pass for travel on the tram.

The approach has seen a significant reduction in the number of vehicles taking up more than one space, parking on pavements or in areas they are not authorised to do so. This approach is freeing up spaces for other tram customers and you can read more here.

Manchester Metrolink

As part of Operation AVRO, GMP’s Transport Unit alongside partners from Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) carried out multiple targeted deployments across all 10 districts as work continues to make the transport network safer for all users.

Alongside the TravelSafe Partnership, our officers made 19 arrests and carried out 143 stop searches. Around 1,102 Metrolink fines were also issued for fare evasion.

Officers from all the districts were out in force showing a visible presence in their local area, patrolling the Metrolink network as well as the bus routes for that district. For the full story, click here.

Edinburgh Trams  

Upgrades to a popular ticketing website will make it easier than ever to make the most of great deals on tram travel in Edinburgh.

Alongside a fresh new look, additional features on edinburghticket.com enable purchased tickets to be downloaded directly to Google and Apple wallets.

Of course, tickets can still be printed off in advance of travel for inspection by members of the friendly Edinburgh Trams team but by increasing the options available the operator aims to offer added convenience for customers. Read more here.

LUAS

Dublin’s tram network and its Operator Transdev have teamed up with the Samuel Beckett Community Facility, supporting a family fun day which takes place on Saturday July 22. The event will take place following a free summer programme held for the residents of Ballyogan in July.

The event is held at the Samuel Beckett Community Centre which is approximately 8 minutes walk from Ballyogan Wood Luas Stop on the Green Line.

The day will kick off with the mini world cup finals following the summer programme games and the full story can be found here.

Tyne & Wear Metro 

Experts at Sunderland’s National Glass Centre have started work on the painstaking restoration of a stained glass art work from a busy Tyneside Metro station.

The 40 year-old ‘Beaches and Shipyards’ installation has been carefully transported from Monkseaton Metro station in North Tyneside to the Glass Centre on the banks of the River Wear to be restored to its former glory.

Stained glass expert Cate Watkinson and her team are slowly cleaning and repairing the glass, replacing cracked panes, and making it as good as new once again. Click here to read more.

LRSSB

Over the past 12 months, the organisation responsible for driving tramway safety has made huge strides towards its mission of further reducing the risk of harm or injury on UK networks. 

Thanks to confirmation of funding from the Department for Transport, the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board has been able to strengthen its senior management team, boosting the delivery of key projects.

In its 2023 annual report, published last week, the organisation has highlighted a series of successes over the past 12 months and how it aims to continue supporting the sector. To find out more, click 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.