In this week’s news from the light rail sector – Engineering works in Nottingham, fare changes in the West Midlands, Supertram halts onboard card payments for some tickets, fees for ATW permits rise in Edinburgh and Luas supports local schools.
UKTram
Calls for city regions and local authorities to take a more holistic view to meet their future transport challenges are at the heart of the UKTram response to a landmark Government consultation on a future Integrated National Transport Strategy.
In a new blog, Managing Director James Hammett explains that while light rail, very light rail and tram-train systems have a vital role to play in many parts of the country, all transport plans should be based on a thorough analysis of passenger travel patterns and a ‘mode agnostic’ approach to future transport planning. Read the blog here.
Sheffield Supertram
From this Sunday (March 23) Supertram will no longer accept onboard card payments for CityWide 7-day and SYConnect 7-day tickets due to concerns about misuse and fraud.
The change comes as part of our broader efforts to tackle organised crime linked to fraudulent ticket sales, and CCTV footage from onboard is being used as part of ongoing investigations.The move applies only to these two products, and all other tickets will remain available for purchase using existing payment methods. For the full story, click here.
Manchester Metrolink
The Bee Network has hit a major milestone of 50 million contactless tap-and-go tram journeys just days before launching on buses.
The record breaking journey started at 7.07am on Wednesday (March 19) and the person travelled from Navigation Road to Cornbrook.
The modern payment system removes the need for passengers to buy tickets, instead enabling them to use a contactless card or device to tap in and out to pay for their tram journey. Fares automatically worked out up to the daily or weekly cap and you can find out more here.
NET
Essential tram track maintenance work in Nottingham will be taking place for five days next month starting on April 12, NET has revealed.
The network improvements will take place between Middle Hill and Weekday Cross, and the Lace Market tram stop will be closed until the works finish on April 16. No tram services will be operating between Old Market Square and Nottingham Station during this time.
To minimise disruption, NCT Green line buses will be accepting tram tickets or passes while the maintenance work takes place. However, due to traffic diversions, buses will also not be servicing the Lace Market stop. Customers are being encouraged to allow extra time and check affected routes before travelling and more details can be found here.
West Midlands Metro
A recent review of West Midland Metro ticket prices will see a modest increase to all fares from next month as the network continues to invest in enhancing services for customers.
Following a price freeze in 2023, and a below-inflation increase in 2024, most fares will increase by between 10 – 30p from April 7, 2025.
Michael Reading-Skilton, Metro’s Head of Commercial, said the network remains committed to delivering the best possible value for our customers, and you can read more here.
Edinburgh Trams
In April, Edinburgh Trams will be increasing the price of its Authority to Work permits for the first time since 2023. These changes will come into effect from Monday, March 31.
To ensure that work on or near the tramway is carried out safely, it is necessary to obtain authorisation from Edinburgh Trams to agree a safe system of work.
Since the web-based system PERMIT+ was implemented in 2023, 2284 permits have been issued, ensuring that works near the tramway can be monitored by the operator’s engineering team, and you can read more here.
Luas
Luas and its operator and maintainer, Transdev, are supporting St Patrick’s Athletic Football Club with its “Saints and Scholars” football numeracy programme, which takes place in several schools local to Luas Red Line.
The participating schools below are close to Richmond Park, the home of St. Patrick’s FC, and the Luas Red Line. Transdev says it’s proud to support the programme's delivery and build positive relationships with young people in the area.
Luas is also contributing to the production of the workbooks used throughout the programme 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.