In this week’s news from the light rail sector – Fare changes in Blackpool and a post-pandemic ticket offer in Edinburgh, a new Docklands Light Railway timetable, Nexus welcomes apprentices and a historic timepiece returns home as part of the Trams to Newhaven project.
A high-profile event in Manchester has seen sector professionals meet to discuss progress on a host of vital projects that aim to drive the expansion of light rail in the UK.
Organised by UKTram, the Light Rail Summit also opened with a minute of silence to enable delegates to pay their respects to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The impressive surroundings of the headquarters of Manchester Chamber of Commerce in Deansgate proved a fitting setting for the sector to come together to share a few moments of quiet contemplation before a packed programme of discussions.
During the day, delegates received an update on UKTram’s Strategy for the Future of Light Rail, alongside a host of other presentations by leading figures from across the sector.
For more information on the summit, which had a theme of ‘Building Better’, click here.
In other light rail news:
Edinburgh Trams
A new ticket deal from Edinburgh’s acclaimed tram network is offering even better value for money and flexibility for commuters adjusting to post-pandemic working patterns.
Allowing unlimited travel in the City Zone, which covers all stops between Ingliston Park & Ride and St Andrew Square, discounted bundles of tram day tickets are available on the ‘et app’ from £9.50.
There is also the option to purchase Weekly City Zone Tickets, which include seven consecutive days of unlimited tram travel, as well as a 28-Day Ticket for just £45 and further details can be found here.
Blackpool Transport
From this Sunday (September 25) there will be a change to fares on Blackpool’s trams and buses.
Operator Blackpool Transport says it wants to continue bringing customers excellent value travel but has seen business costs increasing substantially.
However, by introducing daily fare capping for customers who pay by contactless onboard, it will ensure they never pay more than the price of a day ticket, no matter how many journeys they make in a single day!
Further information about the changes can be found here.
Docklands Light Railway
A new Docklands Light Railway timetable is set to come into operation next week, with passengers able to enjoy more frequent services.
Starting on Monday, September 26, the Stratford to Canary Wharf route will be increased to one train every four minutes in peak times, with one every five minutes in the daytime and early evening – up from the current one every 10 minutes.
In the morning peak, every other train will continue to Lewisham, as reported here.
Other changes include the Canning Town to Beckton shuttle, which will complement other services on the route to boost the frequency to one every four minutes in peak times and one every five minutes in the daytime.
Luas
Engineering works are being carried out on the Luas Green Line today (September 23) and over the weekend.
To accommodate these works, there will be temporary changes to Luas Green Line operating hours on the above dates and further information can be found here. Red Line Operating Hours are not affected.
Tyne & Wear Metro
Nexus has welcomed it’s 2022 cohort of apprentices, following an extensive recruitment campaign earlier this year.
Ten people, aged from 17-38, are starting their training in a variety of roles, including Metro track, signalling and infrastructure, business administration, Shields Ferry crew and automatic fares collection.
Some will learn the skills needed to look after the 77km network of Metro train tracks, 270 signals and all ticket machines, while others will be working within key business units behind the scenes in Nexus. The full story can be found here.
Extension Projects
The historic London Road clock has returned home after 15 years in storage and following its full restoration, as part of the Trams to Newhaven project in Edinburgh.
The clock, which began life on Waverley Bridge in 1857 before being moved to the West End in 1896, was eventually placed at the roundabout on London Road in 1955.
It was removed in 2007 during the original tram project and is now being replaced as Trams to Newhaven nears completion.
The timepiece was returned as part of improvements to the public space at Elm Row and you can read more here.
LRSSB
The latest virtual reality technology is now available to light rail operators looking to further enhance safety as part of their recruitment and training processes.
Funded by the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board, and similar to the system adopted by the DVLA for driving licence tests, the hazard perception tool has continued to evolve since it was first launched in 2020.
Following feedback from members of the UKTram Operations Group, additional scenarios have been added to reflect real-life incidents and recent changes to the highway code and you can read the full story 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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