In this week’s news from the light rail sector – Rising customer satisfaction on West Midlands Metro as it looks to further expansion, consultation on dogs on trams in Sheffield, clean energy for Manchester Metrolink, and engineering works in Edinburgh.
West Midlands Metro
The popularity of trams in the West Midlands continues to soar, with more than nine out of ten passengers expressing satisfaction with their journey in a recent survey.
The impressive set of results showed positive increases across a range of measures, with Metro team members’ appearance and tram stop convenience both reaching 93%.
Overall satisfaction with tram stops increased to 92%. Additionally, the visibility and accessibility of route information at tram stops increased by 3% to 91%, making it even easier for customers to navigate their journeys, and you can read more here.
Edinburgh Trams
The operator will be shutting a section of the tram network for three days this month so the network can undergo essential maintenance work.
From the early hours of Friday, February 14, trams will not run between West End and Balfour Street to make way for the replacement of track points at York Place.
During this time, tram stops at McDonald Road, Picardy Place, St Andrew Square, and Princes Street will be closed. However, services will operate on a slightly amended timetable between Edinburgh Airport and West End and Newhaven and Balfour Street, and more details can be found here.
Sheffield Supertram
Views are being sought on whether or not all dogs should be allowed to travel on the Supertram network in South Yorkshire. Last year, South Yorkshire’s Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) took the Supertram system back into public control, with a commitment to improve the service and passenger experience to make people more likely to take the tram. As part of the improvement work, SYMCA is now consulting with the public on changing the conditions of carriage to find out if people want to let all dogs ride on Supertram. It is currently only possible for dogs (except assistance dogs) to be carried on the Supertram system in a carry cage, and you can read the full story here.
Manchester Metrolink
Greater Manchester is taking huge steps towards having the first carbon-neutral public transport system in the UK by outlining plans to invest significantly in homegrown clean energy to power the Bee Network.
A week on from the Government approving an investment-led plan for cleaning up the region’s air, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is seeking to boost its green credentials by striking a long-term deal which will see trams powered by 100% renewable energy sourced from a newly-constructed solar or wind farm.
The proposed power purchase agreement (PPA) is a long-term contract between an energy generator and a buyer to buy energy at an agreed price, reducing running costs and protecting against spikes in energy prices. To find out more, click here.
Tyne & Wear Metro
The restoration of Whitley Bay Metro station has delivered a boost for the town’s community hub, which has undergone vital renovation work as part of the project.
Kier Transportation, which is part of Kier Group, is the contractor carrying out the £5.3m scheme on Whitley Bay Metro station’s Grade II Listed canopy. The works were undertaken with Kier as part of a social value plan, which ensures community engagement while on site.
Volunteers from the two project teams gave up their time to renovate an activity room at the popular venue on Whitley Road. As reported here, they spent three days painting and decorating the room, which is in the process of being updated to create a much warmer and tidier space for group activities, conferences and meetings.
LRSSB
A high-profile campaign promoting pedestrian safety around UK tramways is stepping up a gear with the launch of four new illustrated characters to highlight dangerous behaviour.
Already adopted by tram systems in Manchester, Edinburgh and Blackpool, the initiative features eye-catching signage and striking social media content aimed at reducing the risk of collisions between trams and members of the public.
Developed by the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board, its key messages are based on research identifying the most common causes of such incidents, and you can read more here.
Extension Projects
Work to extend the West Midlands Metro further into the Black Country, linking even more communities to rapid and reliable tram services, is set to begin within weeks following confirmation of Government funding.
Preparations are already under way for construction of the £295 million second phase of the Black Country extension from Flood Street in Dudley town centre to Merry Hill Shopping Centre – with stops at Cinder Bank, Pedmore Road and the Waterfront Business Park. The first phase, between Wednesbury and Dudley town centre is due to open to passengers later this year.
The Government’s support for the new route, which included approval of the final package of funding in the Chancellor’s October budget, has been crucial in securing the green light for the second phase, and the full story 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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