UKTram Functional Groups deliver record engagement and set direction for 2026

UKTram delivered its highest-ever number of Functional Group meetings and Best Practice Days in 2025, with record attendance and growing engagement from across the light rail sector. More than the scale of activity, the past year has been defined by a shift towards more structured collaboration, with operators, owners, authorities and suppliers working together to address shared challenges and support national approaches. 

Across engineering, operations, safety, heritage and strategy, the UKTram Functional Groups. Working Groups and Sub-groups continue to form the backbone of sector-wide collaboration. Strong participation has enabled focused discussion and more open sharing of challenges, supporting resilience, long-term planning across networks. 

The Light Rail Engineering Group (LREG) continued to provide a critical forum for addressing common technical challenges, including supply chain constraints, obsolescence and asset planning. Requests for Information activity remained high and reinforced the value of collective problem-solving and best practice. 

Training and skills featured strongly, with growing engagement around apprenticeships and specialist training needs. Early collaboration with external providers and initiatives such as Young Rail Professionals signals positive momentum ahead of the LRSSB Skills Hub launch in 2026. 

The Light Rail Operators Committee (LROC) saw strong engagement throughout the year, with sessions supporting operational approaches. A key highlight was the sector-wide focus on driver rostering, with operators sharing data, tools and practical experience. Discussions also highlighted the need for greater automation and tram-specific solutions, alongside examples of innovation emerging from within UK networks. 

The Centre of Excellence (CoE) continued to support future growth through scheme development activity, engagement with Network Rail and support for the Very Light Rail sector. A key theme was recruitment and retention with the launch of the Rising Star initiative, alongside ongoing work with industry partners to strengthen skills pathways and integrated learning frameworks across the sector. 

The Owners and Authorities Group (OAG) also maintained strong momentum in 2025, focusing on procurement, asset renewal planning and integrated ticketing. Data-led decision-making and closer alignment with wider urban transport partners remain priorities, with the group meeting last week. 

And finally, the Heritage Tramways Committee continued to strengthen approaches to safety management, competence and peer review, while progressing work to support long-term sustainability, volunteer development and consistent standards across heritage networks. 

Alongside last week’s Owners and Authorities Group and Centre of Excellence meetings, the forward programme for early 2026 is already underway. The Light Rail Engineering Group will meet in Cardiff next month for a its first meeting and Best Practice Day of the year, followed by the Light Rail Operators Committee meeting in Edinburgh in March. 

Taken together, 2025 marked a step-change in how the sector collaborates. UKTram’s Functional and Working Groups are now established engines of shared learning and progress, providing another concrete foundation as the sector enters 2026 with greater alignment and focus.