Building on discussions from the most recent Centre of Excellence (CoE) meeting, UKTram has further strengthened engagement with the British Standards Institution (BSI) by attending the Innovation Management Summit 2025, held on Wednesday 8th October at London’s Science Museum.

In this week’s round-up: Metro steps towards contactless travel with smart validators, Supertram network investment planned over October half-term , while Blackpool Transport has just the ticket for half-term days out. Learn more about the UK-first approach to keeping travelling public safe in Greater Manchester, a train tattoo honouring the historic Metro fleet and the newly appointed Chair for the LRSSB Heads of Safety Group.

The latest meeting of the UKTram Centre of Excellence has highlighted the importance of closer collaboration with the British Standards Institution (BSI) to ensure the light rail and urban transit sectors remain well represented in the development of industry standards.

In this week’s round-up: Luas Cork reaches a key consultation milestone, Transport for London publishes its Annual Report with progress on safety and decarbonisation, while Nexus prepares to host Newcastle’s Climate Change Forum. Manchester Metrolink explores energy optimisation with the University of Birmingham and Supertram celebrates new driver graduates. Meanwhile, NET launches trial of more frequent evening trams and Crich Tramway Village announces its after-dark Tramli

UKTram Operations Manager Steve Duckering joined international transport leaders in Newcastle on 6–8 October for the UITP Regional & Suburban Railways Division Meeting.

A new report from Campaign for Better Transport, Making the Connection: Rail and the sustainable growth opportunity highlights the essential role of light rail in supporting cleaner, better-connected cities. It also features two powerful examples of the mode’s impact and potential.

In this week’s round-up: the first of 54 new DLR trains enters service as networks press ahead with renewal and maintenance, Nexus confirms a six-day closure for major track works and SYMCA details Supertram upgrades. Edinburgh Trams supports a packed October events calendar, Nottingham offers student savings, and Dublin’s MetroLink secures planning approval. Plus, Scouts back the LRSSB ‘two lines = stop’ safety campaign and the Global Light Rail Awards celebrate sector excel

The 2025 Global Light Rail Awards took place in London this week, bringing together operators, suppliers, and industry leaders from around the world to celebrate excellence and innovation in the sector.

Trams remain one of the most effective tools for sustainable growth, regeneration and modal shift in UK cities, according to UKTram Managing Director James Hammett in a recent feature for the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT).

South Yorkshire takes the first step towards procuring a £116m new tram fleet, Edinburgh Trams issues travel advice during a three-day partial shutdown and Luas confirms upcoming Red Line closures. London Trams joins the national ‘Two Lines = STOP’ pedestrian safety campaign and Blackpool boosts services for the rescheduled World Fireworks Championships. Other highlights include TfL’s 25th anniversary wraps, apprentices gaining behind-the-scenes insight at the West Midlands M

More than 120 industry professionals came together in Birmingham yesterday for the sold-out UKTram & LRSSB Light Rail Summit, an annual event packed with sector insights and forward-looking discussion. 

In this week’s light rail news round-up: sector safety leadership takes the spotlight in Sheffield, Edinburgh Trams celebrate staff milestone, NET boosts services for Goose Fair and Tyne and Wear Metro’s new trains feature on national TV. Further stories cover engineering works, 25 years of TfL with special livery and heritage celebrations at Crich and the Great Orme.

On Wednesday 10th September, UKTram visited the Castlefield Viaduct in Manchester for the Women in Transport Northwest hub 20th Anniversary celebrations. 

UKTram was among the organisations invited to Mott MacDonald’s Urban Transit & Mobility Forum 2025, which took place in Dublin at the Aloft on Thursday, 11th September. 

In this week’s light rail news round-up: Blackpool Transport boosts tram frequencies for the World Fireworks Championships and Edinburgh Trams drivers prepare to compete on the global stage. Updates preservation of the Tyne and Wear Metro’s first train, a VIP depot tour for Birmingham school pupils at West Midlands Metro and Dublin’s latest ‘Meet the Luas Manager’ session. Plus, £40m funding to progress West Yorkshire’s Mass Transit plans and Crich Tramway Village set to cele

UKTram Lead Engineer, Phill Terry, represented the organisation at the Permanent Way Institution (PWI) and joined the online Technical Board meeting on 10 September 2025. This was following a technical visit to Cemex Rail Solutions and their sleeper manufacturing facility near Rochester.

UKTram is pleased to announce a new mutual membership agreement with the Permanent Way Institution (PWI), further strengthening collaboration between the UK’s light rail sector and one of the rail industry’s most respected professional bodies. 

In this week’s light rail news round-up: the return of historic trams for Blackpool’s Lightpool festival, a first look at the new DLR trains and Edinburgh Trams’ record-breaking August. Updates also include Bee Network improvements, market engagement events for Dublin’s MetroLink and the reveal of the Global Light Rail Awards shortlist.

The shortlist for the Global Light Rail Awards 2025 has been announced, recognising innovation, dedication and the many achievements driving the sector forward.