In this week’s news from the light rail sector – Corrie experience on Metrolink, West Midlands Metro celebrates orchestra partnership, another busy weekend for Edinburgh Trams, and Blackpool Transport offers free travel for armed services personnel. Sustainability, fatigue risk management, tackling anti-social behaviour, and anti-terrorism are set to be key topics of debate during this year’s Light Rail Summit in Birmingham, and a full agenda is now available to download here.
In addition to hearing from key speakers, the event also offers delegates the opportunity for a day of top-level networking and updates on the work of UKTram and the LRSSB.
Although all tickets for the free event have been allocated, a waiting list has been set up in case any places become available ahead of the summit at IET: Austin Court. To be added to the list, email: lorraineGeorge@uktram.co.uk
West Midlands Metro A successful partnership between the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) and West Midlands Metro is set to continue after striking a positive chord with tram customers and music enthusiasts alike.
Last year, an eye-catching tram was unveiled to kick-start the relationship, which has established the Metro as the CBSO’s official travel partner.
Plans are in motion to reinforce the already harmonious partnership for the next 12 months, and you can read more here.
Edinburgh Trams
Following a record-breaking weekend when Taylor Swift took to the stage in Edinburgh, the city’s tram network is looking forward to another busy weekend ahead.
Scotland’s biggest celebration of rural life is taking place at the Royal Highland Centre throughout the weekend, while Pride and Armed Forces parades will head through the city centre on Saturday, June 22.
With a seven-minute service frequency throughout the day between Edinburgh Airport and Newhaven, the city’s acclaimed tram system is ready to provide quick and easy access to these popular events, and you can read more here.
Blackpool Transport
The operator will again be supporting Armed Forces Weekend (Saturday, June 29 and Sunday, June 30) by offering service personnel, their spouses and children, free travel on all Blackpool Transport Services buses and trams in recognition of their service to King and Country.
Jane Cole, Managing Director at Blackpool Transport, said this is just a small way of showing gratitude to some of the many military personnel who have worked relentlessly to protect our country over many decades.
Blackpool’s Armed Forces Week promises an exciting line-up of events and entertainment to honour the nation’s military personnel, and you can read the full story here.
Tyne & Wear Metro
Metro has provided the backdrop for a new book about North East England.
Metroland, subtitled ‘The people, places and history encountered via the Tyne & Wear Metro’, is a piece of travel writing about parts of the region which can be reached on a Metro service.
Using the 60 stations on the system as the basis for each chapter, author Keith Watson mixes observations on life with recent and more traditional history, sport and humour, and you can read the full story here. Manchester Metrolink
In the ‘moving people’ business, it’s a well-known fact that Transport for Greater Manchester is constantly contacted by people asking where the ‘Coronation Street’ tram stop is, not least as there is a CGI tram in the programme’s titles and a ‘tram stop’ on the show’s set.
In the ‘real world’ to head towards the ‘Corrie’ site for a visit, the nearest stop is the IWM North, a short wander away from the ‘Coronation Street Experience’, which proudly corners the largest single TV production site in the world.
Now visitors can arrive in true ‘Corrie style, with the launch of the ‘Coronation Street Experience’ tram, a unique homage to the show that will meander across the network for the next 12 months. For the full story, click here.
Luas
To facilitate Dublin’s Pride Parade on Saturday, June 29, there will be changes to tram services in the city.
On the Green Line, there will be no service between St. Stephen’s Green and Dominick from 09:40 to 17:00. Trams will only run between Brides Glen and St. Stephen’s Green, and between Broombridge and Dominick.
On the Red Line, there will be no service between Smithfield and Connolly/The Point from approximately 10:00 to 14:30. Trams will only run between Tallaght/Saggart and Smithfield, and further 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.
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