In this week’s news from the light rail sector – Launch of passenger services to Wolverhampton station, training for fire service on new Metro trains, a student ticket offer in Nottingham, and an end of season gala at Heaton Park Tramway.
West Midlands Metro
Passengers will soon be able to enjoy seamless connections between trams, trains and buses with the launch of new stops in Wolverhampton.
Connecting the existing network at The Royal to the main railway station at Wolverhampton Station, the extension will also serve Pipers Row for the bus station when it opens on Sunday, September 17.
Following thorough testing and driver familiarisation on the new line, its official launch will mark another milestone for the growing Metro system, and you can read the full story here.
NET
Students living in and around Nottingham will be able to make big savings as Nottingham Express Transit (NET) launches its discounted academic year travel offer to welcome new freshers and students returning to the city.
The Student Academic Year Tram Ticket will be available to purchase on the NETGO! app at the newly reduced price of £250 – which is a saving of £50 – until October 22, 2023. Once purchased, it can be used for unlimited tram travel across Nottingham between September 1, 2023, and July 31, 2024.
This makes tram travel only 75p a day, more than 80% cheaper than the Student Day Ticket, which is priced at £4. Available for a limited time, the discounted pass allows university and college students to travel around the city for great value, and further details can be found here.
Tyne & Wear Metro
Firefighters are undertaking a series of training courses to learn more about the new Metro trains so that they are ready to react to an emergency situation in the event that one arises.
Familiarisation sessions are being organised for all blue light services as part of the countdown to the first new train entering service.
Officers from the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) are getting a closer look at the new Stadler train at the Nexus Learning Centre in South Shields, with watches from across the area brought up to speed on the new Metros, which differ vastly from the current fleet.
Key areas include carriage layout, fire suppression systems and emergency access points, and you can read more here.
Heritage
The Heaton Park Tramway is to celebrate the end of another season of operation with an addition to its special events calendar.
On Sunday, October 1, an End of Season Gala will see all five operational trams take part at some point in the day, including Stockport 5, Hull 96, Blackpool 619, Blackpool 623 and Manchester 765.
British Trams Online reports the trams will run between 11am and 4pm with further details of the event to be announced in due course. You can read the full story here.
Meanwhile, the National Tramway Museum’s oldest tramcar, Oporto 9, celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, and you can find out more about the 18-seat single deck Oporto 9 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.