The UKTram Blog

This year's UK Light Rail Conference was held at the University of Leeds on 22–23 July 2025. As a long-standing sponsor, exhibitor and speaker at the event, UKTram was pleased to contribute to the programme and engage with key discussions shaping the future of light rail in the UK. 

The latest official statistics from the Department for Transport reveal that light rail and tram systems in England continue to play a vital role, with passenger journeys reaching 231.2 million in the year ending March 2025, a 1% increase compared to the previous year. 

With a career spanning more than 30 years in commercial construction management, Mathew Taylor has become a leading figure in the transportation infrastructure space, bringing expertise to light and very light rail over the past two decades.

Representatives from across the public transport sector gathered in Manchester on Friday 20th June for the Better Transport Conference, part of the national Better Transport Week campaign led by Campaign for Better Transport. 

The light rail sector continues to play a vital role in shaping sustainable, efficient urban mobility and UKTram has been working hard to support innovation and continuous improvement across the industry. We're pleased to share the news of strategic partnerships, working group outputs, new leadership appointments and knowledge-sharing initiatives.

In the latest instalment of our Meet the UKTram Board series, we catch up with Jo Bentley, Head of Customer Experience at Keolis Nottingham and Board Member for UKTram. Jo shares her passion for customer service, insights from working on tram systems both in the UK and internationally, and her aspirations for driving improvements across the light rail sector.  

With six decades of service in the rail industry, UKTram Board Member Colin Robey and Chair of the Centre of Excellence brings a wealth of experience and an uncompromising passion for public transport.

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.

English Tourism Week is an annual celebration of the tourism industry, showcasing its importance to local communities and economies. The theme for this year’s campaign is ‘Supporting People and Places to Drive Growth’, highlighting the important role tourism plays in boosting economic prosperity across England.

The transport industry is evolving. The light rail sector is a clear example of positive change. As more women enter the industry, we are witnessing a shift towards greater inclusivity and diversity. However, challenges remain in addressing historical gender imbalances and ensuring transport is seen as an attractive career choice for women.

As part of our Meet the UKTram Board series, we're introducing the key figures shaping the future of light rail in the UK. This time, we're speaking with Lindsay Murphy, a transport engineering specialist with over 30 years of experience.

Apprenticeships have long been a vital route into the light rail sector, equipping individuals with the skills and experience to build successful careers.

As the light rail sector navigates a pivotal era of change, UKTram begins the year by spotlighting Steve Edwards, Chair of the UKTram Board.

As the year draws to a close, we reflect on a fantastic 2024 filled with milestones, innovation and collaboration.

Closer ties between the light rail professionals and academics have a crucial role to play in securing a sustainable future for tramways and similar modes of mass transit, writes Colin Robey of the UKTram Centre of Excellence.

As the festive season fills cities and towns across the UK with light, light rail systems play a pivotal role in connecting people to the heart of the action.

We were fortunate to meet with the Volk's Electric Railway team recently. VER is the world's oldest working electric railway. It has proudly served passengers along Brighton's seafront since 1883.

The Global Light Rail Awards on 2nd October marked another extraordinary celebration of the dedication, achievements, and innovations that define the light rail sector.

The recent UKTram Light Rail Summit, in partnership with the Light Rail Safety Standards Board (LRSSB), marked our fifth successful gathering, bringing together leaders and experts from across the light rail sector for an engaging day of discussions, insights, and presentations.

In the first of a new series of blogs from UKTram, Chair Stephen Edwards explains how the organisation is evolving as the new Government sets out its own priorities.

We are thrilled to introduce you to the newly redesigned UKTram website, the one-stop for all things light rail in the UK.