Latest figures highlight resilience across England’s light rail networks
The latest Department for Transport statistics show 226.1 million journeys were made on light rail and tram systems in England during 2025/26, with passenger numbers outside London remaining broadly stable and several networks recording further growth.
The annual Light Rail and Tram Statistics, released today, provide an overview of network usage in England. The data cover passenger journeys, service levels, revenue, infrastructure and workforce information.
In the year ending March 2026, 226.1 million passenger journeys were made across England, a 2% decrease from the previous year, with results varying by network.
The overall decrease was mainly due to the Docklands Light Railway, where passenger journeys declined as service levels were reduced in preparation for a new fleet. Outside London, journeys remained stable at 116.0 million, with several networks experiencing growth.
Growth across individual networks
Several systems recorded increases in passenger numbers during the year. Blackpool Tramway had the largest percentage increase, with journeys up 8% to 4.7 million. West Midlands Metro recorded 9 million journeys, a 3% rise. Manchester Metrolink, the busiest system outside London, increased by 1% to 46.6 million journeys.
London Trams also recorded significant growth, with journeys increasing by 12% to 19.3 million.
Looking further back also provides useful context. West Midlands Metro carried 9% more passengers than in 2019, the last full year before the pandemic, increasing from 8.3 million to 9.0 million journeys.
Individual networks also experienced different circumstances during the year. South Yorkshire Supertram was affected by a programme of rail replacement works, while service changes on the DLR ahead of the introduction of its new fleet reduced service kilometres and passenger journeys. In Blackpool, a more frequent 10-minute service, alongside the network extension that opened in 2025, contributed to increased service levels.
2025/26 at a glance
Across England during the year ending March 2026:
226.1 million passenger journeys were made, down 2%
28.8 million concessionary journeys were recorded, down 2%
light rail and tram vehicles covered 22.0 million miles, down 1%
passenger revenue totalled £386.4 million, down 3% after adjusting for inflation
concessionary revenue totalled £33.6 million, down 4% after adjusting for inflation
England's networks comprised 221.2 miles of route and 418 stops, served by 483 vehicles.
While passenger numbers have not yet returned to their pre-pandemic peak, service provision is much closer to previous levels. The 22.0 million vehicle miles operated during 2025/26 compares with a high of 22.5 million in 2019.
Light rail's role in everyday journeys
The figures also provide an insight into the role light rail plays for passengers who rely on concessionary travel.
There were 28.8 million concessionary journeys during 2025/26, accounting for 13% of all light rail and tram journeys in England.
Manchester Metrolink recorded 9.2 million concessionary journeys, the highest of any network, while West Midlands Metro saw concessionary journeys increase by 19%. Compared with 2019, West Midlands Metro, Tyne and Wear Metro and Manchester Metrolink are now all carrying more concessionary passengers.
Building on the recovery
Passenger journeys across England have grown significantly since the sharp fall experienced during the pandemic. Following several years of year-on-year recovery, the latest figures show passenger numbers outside London beginning to level off, with 116.0 million journeys recorded in 2025/26 – broadly unchanged from the previous year.
The figures also show how far the sector has come since the pandemic, when UKTram worked closely with Government and operators to support networks, share best practice and knowledge through an unprecedented period. UKTram also made the case for light rail to play an important part in the country's longer-term recovery, highlighting its role in connecting people with town and city centres and supporting the transition towards more sustainable transport.
With passenger numbers having recovered significantly since 2021 and now beginning to stabilise, the focus is increasingly shifting to what comes next. As attention increasingly turns to the future of mass transit, evidence from established networks can help inform how existing systems develop and how new schemes are planned and delivered.
Through its members, Functional Groups and growing library of shared knowledge, UKTram is working to make sure experience from across the sector can be used more widely – whether learning from successful projects or helping developing and existing schemes benefit from what has already been learned elsewhere. UKTram Managing Director James Hammett said:
“These figures give us an important picture of where light rail is today. We’ve seen passenger numbers grow significantly since the pandemic and there are encouraging signs of growth and resilience across the sector. The next question is how we build on that. As existing networks invest and develop and new mass transit schemes are considered, we can learn a great deal from the systems already operating across the country.''
UKTram has an important role in making that knowledge available, connecting the people planning future schemes with those who have already faced many of the same challenges, and helping the sector decide what comes next.
Explore the full statistics
The full Light Rail and Tram Statistics: England, year ending March 2026, including all accompanying data tables, are available on the Department for Transport website.