In this week’s news from the light rail sector – Partnership helps keep Metrolink customers hydrated, romance on Nottingham’s tram network, concertgoers in Edinburgh urged to take the tram, timetable changes in Blackpool and defibrillator installed at South Shields Transport Interchange.
Excitement is building across the light rail sector ahead of a major event in Birmingham next month.
Organised by UKTram, the annual Light Rail Summit attracts leaders from across the sector for a day of topical debate and top-level networking, with a range of high-profile speakers leading discussions.
Safety and security will be a key theme of this year’s summit, which takes place on September 19, and you can find out more here.
In other light rail news:
Manchester Metrolink
Cano Water, the world’s first canned water brand, and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) have announced an innovative partnership aimed at helping consumers stay hydrated in the sunshine while promoting environmental sustainability across the city’s transport network.
This summer, commuters have been enjoying a refreshing twist to their journeys as cans of Cano Water, which are renowned for their infinitely recyclable aluminium packaging, have been distributed at Metrolink’s key city centre stops and transport interchanges.
The initiative began in July, when temperatures reached upwards of 24°C, to ensure passengers stay hydrated in the heat without feeling the need to reach for a plastic water bottle, and you can read more here.
NET
Two members of the Nottingham Express Transit (NET) team have found love, with a shock proposal at the tram network’s 20th anniversary celebration.
Gary and Nicola have worked at NET for 18 and 10 years respectively as a revenue protection officer and customer experience leader, and have been together for nine of those years, despite many of their colleagues having no idea.
Nottingham’s tram network has played a big part in their lives for so many years that Gary made the decision to cement their romance at the place they first fell in love, and you can read the full story here.
Edinburgh Trams
Concert ticket holders are being urged to take the tram to the Royal Highland Centre for when two of the biggest names in indie rock and pop take to the stage later this month.
A clearly sign-posted safe walking route from the Ingliston Park & Ride stop will be in place for the Ocean Colour Scene and Catfish and the Bottlemen concerts.
Trams will be running through the night at weekends through August, so fans should have no problem getting back to their home or hotel, and more details can be found here.
Blackpool Transport
The operator has announced changes to its tram timetable to better suit the needs of customers. From Saturday, August 31, T1, T2, and T3 services will continue to run, but with a new schedule.
The T2 and T3 services will now operate exclusively in the early morning, making it easier for commuters to travel to and from North Station. After the morning rush, the T1 service will take over, running from Starr Gate to Fleetwood, via North Station every 15 minutes from 9:00am onwards.
This change aims to ensure customers have a reliable and regular service throughout the day, and you can find out more by clicking here.
Tyne and Wear Metro
A life-saving defibrillator has been installed at South Shields Transport Interchange.
The device, known as a defib, has been mounted in the Metro concourse in a special protective case and is registered on the National Defibrillator Network.
Defibrillators can help to restore heart rhythm when someone goes into cardiac arrest. They are attached to patient’s chest and give an electric shock to the heart to restart a normal beat, and the full story can be found here.
LRSSB
The appointment of a Principal Researcher by the organisation responsible for enhancing all aspects of light rail safety is set to boost efforts to drive innovation across the sector.
Matthew Wright joins the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board with broad experience of the transport industry, including 15 years working with an operator’s rolling stock department.
Previously employed as the Reliability, Engineering and Competence Manager at Sheffield Supertram, he was responsible for leading fleet reliability improvements as well as managing the engineering Competence Management System (CMS). Click here to read more about his appointment.
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.
Comments