In this week’s news from the light rail sector – Sheffield Supertram joins national safety initiative, West Midland Metro employees vote for a new ‘charity of the year’, a new train enters service on Tyne & Wear Metro, and the LRSSB publishes new tram–train guidance
Sheffield Supertram
Supertram, in partnership with the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board, has launched a new safety campaign to increase pedestrian awareness when crossing tram tracks.
The “TWO Lines = STOP!” campaign is designed to remind the public to stay alert at double-line crossings, where trams operate in both directions. As part of the initiative, yellow safety boards have been installed at key locations across the Supertram network.
These highly visible signs are attached to overhead line equipment (OHLE) poles positioned along the tracks, and you can read the full story here.
West Midlands Metro
West Midlands Metro has announced that Black Country Women’s Aid has been selected as its Charity of the Year for 2025.
The decision follows a robust internal selection process where colleagues nominated, and voted for, a cause close to their hearts.
Reflecting on Metro’s 2024 fundraising efforts, Vicki Bennett, West Midlands Metro Customer Service Manager, said they had raised an amazing £1,153 for Acorns Children’s Hospice, and you can find out more here.
Edinburgh Trams
2025 marks a milestone for the home of Scottish Rugby, and Edinburgh Trams is urging fans to take the tram to Murrayfield as the stadium celebrates its 100th anniversary.
The first game took place back on 21 March 1925, when the Scots scored their first win against the English (14-11). Since then, it’s hosted some of Edinburgh’s most famous moments of sporting glory (and occasional defeat), and this year’s Guinness Men’s Six Nations is next on the list.
Anyone wanting to cheer the team on during their next match (against Wales on March 8) can take the tram to the Murrayfield stop, which is right beside the South Stand, and you can read more here.
Tyne & Wear Metro
A new Metro train has run in customer service between Sunderland and Newcastle International Airport for the first time, marking another important step in the roll-out of the new fleet.
The new Stadler train made its debut on the Sunderland line on Tuesday, February 18, running between South Hylton and serving Sunderland city centre before going all the way to Newcastle International Airport on the Green line.
This follows on from the first train running in service on 18 December last year, and you can find out more here.
LRSSB
A landmark document setting out the key principles for the safe integration of tram-train systems in the UK has been published by the LRSSB.
Since the first tram-train service was launched in the country in 2018 as part of the South Yorkshire Supertram network, similar systems are now being considered as an effective way to improve urban connectivity by enabling passengers to travel between a suburban rail station and a city centre tram stop in a single journey.
As the opening of a new tram-train link to Cardiff Bay in South Wales nears completion, the LRSSB has worked with a wide range of stakeholders to develop comprehensive guidance and advice for operators and organisations considering future schemes. For the full story, click here.
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