In this week's UK and Ireland Tram and Light Rail new round-up: Magna Tram Train station officially opens on Supertram network, NET to increase penalty fare for fare evasion, Edinburgh shares round-up of events for April and West Midlands Metro partners with Clayton Hotel. Plus, Mayor’s fares arrive on Tyne and Wear Metro – delivering customer savings and KeolisAmey Docklands and Metrolink shortlisted for Women in Rail Awards. Heritage highlights this week include National Tr

UKTram has confirmed its continued support for the Global Light Rail Awards in 2026, recognising the importance of celebrating achievement and innovation across the sector.

UKTram’s recent Trade & Trams session brought suppliers, engineers and operators together for a focused afternoon exploring innovation and technical practice across the light rail sector.  The online session took place on 31st March for Light Rail Engineering Group (LREG) members. 40 people joined to share and learn about new technologies and lessons learned from light rail systems. 

UKTram is pleased to welcome Yellow Rail as the newest member of the UKTram community.  Yellow Rail, a specialist in rail engineering and asset solutions, and part of Buckland Rail, has joined the UKTram community as its newest member. Based at Litchurch Lane in Derby, one of the UK’s most established railway engineering locations, Yellow Rail delivers specialist rail engineering and overhauling, fleet support and asset recovery solutions across passenger, freight, and the li

In the UK and Ireland tram and light rail round-up: West Midlands Metro extension to Millennium Point opens this Easter, NET invites nominations for 2026 Community Hero tram and Tyne and Wear Metro introduces fare cap and new easyJet partnership. Also featured this week: MetroLink's contract notices for utilities and enabling works and TravelSafe LiveChat campaign targets young passengers across Bee Network. Heritage highlights include Easter events and Beamish tramway infras

UKTram’s Light Rail Operators Committee (LROC) met in Edinburgh on 26th March, with the session hosted by Edinburgh Trams at Gogar Tram Depot.  The meeting offered another valuable opportunity for operators across the sector to engage in open discussion and share insights. 

UKTram has reached a significant milestone, with its Heritage Tramway community now representing all heritage tramways across the UK and British Isles.

In this week’s UK and Ireland tram and light rail roundup: Police patrols on West Midlands Metro and Tyne and Wear Metro, Edinburgh Trams promotes LRSSB safety campaign, Manchester Metrolink urges customers to plan ahead during engineering works, news station set to open in South Yorkshire, LRSSB forges closer links with BSI, Glasgow Subway set to extend opening hours, plus essential engineering works taking place on the Luas Red line. Heritage highlights include Easter fun a

KeolisAmey Metrolink has been awarded Membership status in the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, marking a significant milestone in the network’s ongoing commitment to delivering high employment standards and fostering an environment where colleagues feel valued, supported, and able to thrive.

UKTram joined industry partners in Sheffield for a collaborative event hosted by the Railway Industry Association (RIA), in partnership with Hitachi Rail and the UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN), exploring light rail opportunities across South Yorkshire and beyond.

In the latest update from UKTram members, Sika and Volkerrail highlight a new approach to tram track renewal, demonstrating how innovation can support efficiency and reduce disruption across light rail networks. Sika® and VolkerRail have delivered a world first on one of London’s busiest tram routes following the launch of a pioneering track maintenance solution developed by Sika®.

In this week's UK and Ireland tram and light rail round-up: Cardiff Crossrail Phase 1 contract awarded to GRAHAM, NET raises more than £17,000 for local causes across the city, Glasgow Subway introduces contactless pay-as-you-go ticketing and a temporary West Midlands Metro timetable ahead of new line launch. Plus, KeolisAmey Metrolink showcases VR safety campaign at Parliament, Blackpool Transport set for busy Easter weekend and improved Cutty Sark station reopening.

Representatives from across the European light rail sector gathered in Tenerife on the 11th and 12th March for the European Light Rail Congress 2026, hosted by Metrotenerife and organised by Mainspring. The annual congress brought together key people from across the sector for another successful year, to exchange updates and developments, with attendees hearing 23 presentations across the two-day programme alongside a technical tour of the Metrotenerife system.

UKTram’s Operations Manager, Steve Duckering, joined international industry colleagues at the UITP Light Rail Committee Workstream on Operations and Safety, held in Vienna on 25 February 2026.  Hosted by Wiener Linien, the meeting brought together operators and stakeholders to review key priorities and share insights on operational performance, safety, and emerging challenges across light rail networks.

In this week's UK and Ireland tram and light rail round-up: KeolisAmey secures new contract to operate Dublin’s Luas network, more network-wide International Women's Day highlights and Transport for London (TfL) marks International Bystander Awareness Day with safety campaign. Plus, Tyne and Wear Metro control room to receive £8.8m system upgrade, West Yorkshire investment pipeline backs future mass transit plans and Supertram highlights work of presentation team.

UKTram welcomes Getzner as a new member, adding technical expertise to our expanding community supporting light rail development and operations. As a global specialist in vibration-isolation solutions for railway, construction, and industrial applications, Getzner has more than 50 years of research and experience. The company works to reduce vibration and noise while improving system performance and extending the service life of infrastructure components.

UKTram’s Digital Marketing and Communications Manager, Chelsea Branch, recently joined a panel of industry professionals for a Women in Transport West Midlands Hub webinar celebrating International Women’s Day 2026.

UKTram has developed a Light Rail and Tramway Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) training course, designed to support confident and competent working for staff involved in tramway OLE maintenance and related activities.

UKTram was pleased to attend Interchange 2026, held at Manchester Central on 3rd and 4th March 2026. Described by organisers as the UK’s leading meeting place for the integrated transport infrastructure community, the event brought together clients, decision-makers and industry experts to explore how a more decarbonised, resilient and connected transport system can be delivered.

International Women’s Day, taking place on Sunday 8 March, offers an opportunity to recognise the progress made towards gender equality while reflecting on the work still to be done. This year’s theme, Give to Gain, highlights the value of supporting others and creating opportunities that allow individuals and organisations to grow together.