In this week’s news from the light rail sector – Luas customers invited to be tourists in their own city, extra trams for concerts in Edinburgh, testing for new trains on Tyne & Wear Metro, and celebrations to mark Volk’s Electric Railway anniversary.
UKTram
Just a handful of free tickets remain for one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the light rail calendar.
Attracting senior figures from across the sector, the UKTram Light Rail Summit on September 21 in Birmingham promises a day of topical debate on a wide range of issues, and you can find out more here.
Edinburgh Trams
Additional tram services and a dedicated shuttle bus are being laid on to ensure concertgoers can get home or back to their hotel late at night following a series of big-name performances in Edinburgh over the next few weeks.
During August, Edinburgh Trams is running through the night on Fridays and Saturdays, but now the operator is planning extra services until around midnight on evenings when acts including Connect, The Killers, and Paolo Nutini take to the stage at the Royal Highland Centre.
A shuttle bus will also link the tram stop at Ingliston Park & Ride site with the Royal Highland Centre, and you can read the full story here.
Tyne & Wear Metro
The eagerly anticipated new Tyne and Wear Metro train has completed its first test runs through South Tyneside.
The successful tests were part of our detailed preparations to get the new Metro fleet ready for customer service.
One of the new Stadler trains has also been moved to the Nexus Learning Centre at Mile End Road in South Shields to assist with training for drivers and customer service teams.
The testing is the latest phase of the £362m new Metro fleet programme, and the full story can be found here.
LUAS
Dublin’s tram network has launched an easy to enter summer competition inviting lucky entrants to be tourists in their own city.
They have the chance to win one of five €100 One4All vouchers that can be used to buy something nice or to visit a famous place in the city.Entry forms must be received by 11.59pm on Sunday, August 27, and the full story can be found here.
Heritage
A special event has taken place to mark the 140th anniversary of the arrival of a revolutionary form of transport on Brighton seafront, British Trams Online reports.
What we now know as the Volk’s Electric Railway started running on August 4, 1883, although it has been regauged and extended since that historic first day.
The event kicked off with a line-up of all the trains in the fleet close to Aquarium Station before it was officially opened with speeches from local dignitaries and television presenters Nicholas Owen and Tim Dunn. For the full story, click here.
Meanwhile, Crich Tramway Village has announced it has been recognised by Tripadvisor as a 2023 Travellers’ Choice award winner for attractions.
The coveted award celebrates businesses that have consistently received great traveller reviews, 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.