High-profile events boost profile of UK light rail systems
The UK light sector has been raising its profile on the international stage, with UKTram leading discussions at two high-profile events.
At a recent conference in Australia, delegates heard about its world-leading commitment to light rail research, innovation and collaboration, with the Managing Director of UKTram highlighting a broad spectrum of successful initiatives.
In this week’s news from the light rail sector – Award recognition for Edinburgh Trams and West Midlands Metro, auction of lost property on Tyne and Wear Metro and Luas celebrates landmark anniversary with record figures.
UKTram
The UK light sector has been raising its profile on the international stage, with UKTram leading discussions at two high-profile events.
At a recent conference in Australia, delegates heard about its world-leading commitment to light rail research, innovation and collaboration, with the Managing Director of UKTram highlighting a broad spectrum of successful initiatives.
During a live, online linkup with the Urban Rail Conference in Brisbane, James Hammett explained how tramways and similar transit systems in the UK were working together to overcome the barriers to the future expansion of the sector.
In other light rail news:
Edinburgh Trams
The outstanding delivery of a landmark light rail project in Edinburgh has been applauded by the wider transport industry at a prestigious awards ceremony last week.
The Edinburgh Trams team responsible for ensuring the successful launch of services to Newhaven scooped a top accolade at the Scottish Transport Awards after impressing judges with their commitment and attention to detail.
Having worked closely with the wider Trams to Newhaven project team during the construction phase of the £207 million project, the operator’s expanded Service Delivery Team led vital testing and commissioning before making sure the first services ran without a hitch.
Their efforts have earned them the Transport Team/Partnership of the Year title, and you can read more here.
West Midlands Metro
A pioneering project that’s helping to tackle one of the leading risks to tramway safety has seen West Midlands Metro receive recognition from colleagues across the wider rail sector.
The network was ‘Highly Commended’ in the Engineering and Safety category at the Rail Innovation Awards after trials of new technology to prevent ‘trap and drag’ incidents.
At the ceremony in London, Anthony Stanley, Metro’s Head of Operations and Safety, accepted the award on behalf of the network, and there’s more on the story here.
Tyne & Wear Metro
Operator Nexus is selling all the lost property found on Tyne and Wear Metro, buses and the Shields Ferry over the last two years to raise money for a local charity.
The sale will take place at Tynemouth Station Market this Sunday (June 30) from 9am-3pm and hundreds of items are up for sale, including new clothing with tags on and footwear from slippers to football boots.
All proceeds from the sale will be donated to Nexus’ chosen charity of the year, Bryson’s Animal Shelter in Gateshead, and the full story can be found here.
Luas
The operator of Dublin’s tram network is celebrating its 20th birthday on Sunday (June 30), with 2024 set to see the total number of passengers surpass 50 million for the first time.
The Luas network has expanded significantly since the maiden journey along the Green Line from Sandyford to St Stephen’s Green, and today it stretches to 43km and services 67 stops across the city and suburbs.
In its 20 years, Luas has carried more than 650 million passengers, and you can find out more 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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