In this week’s news from the light rail sector – Christmas jumpers raise cash for charity in Edinburgh, motorists targeted in campaign to reduce disruption on Manchester Metrolink and LRSSB joins the Business Continuity Institute.

UKTram

A national standard for tram driver training is a step closer with the expansion of a popular apprenticeship programme to cover the light rail sector.

UKTram has played a key role in consultations on revisions to the Passenger Transport Driver programme, which has now been backed with funding from the Department for Education.

Working with the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, the sector’s representative body has helped to ensure the course meets the requirements of light rail operators, and you can read more here.

In other light rail news:

West Midlands Metro

The trial allowing customers to travel with their well-behaved dogs on trams in the West Midlands is to be extended for a further three months.

The move will enable West Midlands Metro to gather more feedback from customers before making a final decision on changes to the rules covering the carriage of pets on board.

Anthony Stanley, Metro’s Head of Operations and Safety, explained that the operator has been delighted with the number of people who have taken the time to share their feedback during the initial trial period, and the full story can be found here.

Edinburgh Trams

Kind-hearted members of the Edinburgh Trams team are set to help a worthy cause by pulling on their favourite winter woollies as part of their festive celebrations.

During the countdown to Christmas, they’re raising money in support of an initiative by Save the Children that aims to provide disadvantaged youngsters in the UK and around the world with the resources they need to have a more prosperous future.

So far, drivers and other front-line staff, together with office-based members of the team, have already raised nearly £150 by joining in with the charity’s annual Christmas Jumper Day, as reported here.

Manchester Metrolink

Motorists are being encouraged to think about how their parking impacts others, with poor and illegal parking affecting other road users, public transport passengers and pedestrians.

One problem area is Oldham where, according to Metrolink staff, people frequently park too close to the tram tracks between Oldham King Street and Oldham Central tram stops.

Since January, there have been at least 13 incidents of Metrolink services being disrupted or service changes being needed because trams have been blocked by poor parking, and the full story can be found here.

LRSSB

The Light Rail Safety and Standards Board has become one of the latest members of an organisation dedicated to improving business resilience.

The Business Continuity Institute (BCI) aims to help businesses prepare for adverse events – from fire, flood or a cyber-attack to supply chain failure or the loss of a key employee.

It helps both private and public organisations develop plans to deal with difficult situations so they can continue to function with as little disruption as possible, and more details can be found 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.