In this week’s news from the light rail sector – Pre-Metro raises cash for an air ambulance, NET teams up with a local university, LRSSB appoints a data analyst, and all-night trams return for Edinburgh’s festival season.
UKTram
Nurturing the next generation of light rail professionals must be a key priority for the sector, and UKTram is helping to lead the way.
The challenge of attracting and retaining talent was put under the spotlight at a recent conference when Dan Hill, Executive Assistant at UKTram, led a panel discussion featuring rising stars from across the sector.
UKTram has already taken the lead on the subject by setting up a working group to explore ways to promote light rail as a rewarding career option, and you can read more here.
In other light rail news:
LRSSB
The appointment of an experienced data analyst by the organisation responsible for light rail safety in the UK is set to help drive further risk reduction across the sector.
Danish Malik joins the LRSSB with a wealth of experience across several industry sectors, including finance and medical insurance, where he has provided vital business insights through effective analysis of detailed statistical information.
At the LRSSB, his expertise will help the organisation refine its data-driven approach to risk reduction and management, and you can read more on the appointment here.
NET
Nottingham’s tram network has cemented its commitment of support for the city’s up-and-coming talent, thanks to an ongoing partnership with Nottingham Trent University (NTU).
Over the past academic year, the partnership has seen NET set a series of live briefs across three different university departments. These included a one week ‘sprint’ where Product Design students were tasked with designing and pitching their suggestions for improving the existing NET app to a board of senior leaders in an industry day, held at NET’s Wilkinson Street depot and head office.
The year also saw students from the BA Media Production course tasked with creating a set of short social media reels, and you can find the full story here.
Edinburgh Trams
Popular all-night trams are set to return to Edinburgh this summer as the city celebrates its legendary festival season.
Additional services will run into the early hours of Saturday and Sunday mornings for four weeks in August to help visitors and city residents make the most of late-night events and performances.
In addition to services from every seven minutes during the day and evening, after midnight on weekends between August 2 and August 25, trams will run every 20 minutes until 3.00am. There will then be trams every 30 minutes until the start of normal services at 6.00am, and more details can be found here.
DLR
This summer, DLR passengers can uncover a world of wonder by taking part in a free DLR Treasure Hunt with the help of the system’s mascots, Dave and Doris.
From July 29 to September 8, DLR customers can explore east London along the system, taking in the history of the city’s Docklands and discovering fun facts as they follow the clues on a treasure map.
They also have the chance to win a medal once they’ve completed the hunt, which starts at Tower Gateway DLR station and ends at London City Airport DLR station.
For the full story, click here.
Sheffield Supertram
Music fans heading for the Tramlines festival at Hillsborough Park this weekend are being encouraged to plan before they travel to the event, and to use available public transport services as there are no parking facilities available near the venue.
A normal tram service is planned to continue to run throughout the day until the evening on Friday 26, Saturday 27, and Sunday, July 28, so people can travel to the venue and others can make their journeys as normal.
To get to the main stages in Hillsborough Park, festivalgoers can catch the Yellow Route service to Hillsborough Park or Leppings Lane tram stop, or the Blue Route service to Hillsborough tram stop, which is a five-minute walk to the park, and full details can be found here.
Manchester Metrolink
Land movement affecting the Metrolink network near Derker has slowed, enabling detailed ground investigations and temporary repair works to get underway.
To get trams running again, a small section of track has to be moved back (‘slewed’) into its original position and the overhead line poles also need to be repaired.
Due to the complexity of the work, it is expected to take up to five weeks to complete, and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is looking to accelerate repairs, and the full story can be found here.
Stourbridge Shuttle
Earlier this month, members of the Pre Metro Operations team visited the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s new headquarters, located on the Shropshire/Staffordshire border.
The Pre Metro team was given an extensive tour of the charity’s airbase and state-of-the-art facility, which features modern equipment and resources designed to enhance its lifesaving services.
However, the visit was not just an opportunity to learn about the charity’s impressive work; it also marked a significant contribution from Pre Metro, with the operator donating £3,695 on behalf of Stourbridge Shuttle Driver David Spruce.
As reported here, the donation marked a crucial step in achieving his ambitious fundraising goal of £100,000.
Tyne and Wear Metro
A scale model of a new Metro train is the centrepiece for a new pop-up play village for kids to explore during the school summer holidays.
The Tiny Toon pretend-play village, which features iconic local landmarks and the amazing replica of the Stadler Metro train, has been delivered courtesy of NE1 and a team of local partner organisations, including headline partner Tyne and Wear Metro.
It is an incredible new addition to NE1’s Summer in the City activities at Old Eldon Square in the heart of Newcastle, complementing the other NE1 activations in the area, 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.