In the light rail news round-up this week: Edinburgh Trams highlights January events across the city, Blackpool Transport Managing Director awarded OBE in New Year Honours and NET launches January annual ticket offer with major savings. Plus, Sheffield Supertram freezes fares and cuts long-distance singles for 2026, Young Tyne and Wear Metro fan brings new train to life and Heritage tramways announce 2026 events.

This year, UKTram aims to deliver even greater value for its members while supporting the continued growth, performance and impact of light rail across the UK and Ireland.

UKTram is pleased to announce the official launch of Tram Talks, our new members’ magazine, created to provide a dedicated space for insight and shared learning across the light rail community.

On Thursday 4th December, the Light Rail Operators Committee (LROC) convened at the Nottingham Express Transit (NET) Depot, bringing together operators from across the UK and Ireland to reflect on operational performance, shared challenges and best practice. 

UKTram is delighted to share that Chelsea Branch, UKTram's Digital Marketing Manager, has been selected for Women in Transport’s Advance mentoring programme, now entering its largest cohort to date, with more than 100 participants taking part. 

We’re proud to share that Dr Rob Carroll and Richard Briggs of Mott MacDonald have been awarded the Permanent Way Institution’s (PWI) President’s Award for their paper “What is Light Rail?” - a standout contribution to the sector that was recognised at the PWI’s annual celebration in Birmingham on the 5th November with Rob and Richard receiving their awards from PWI President, Chrisma Jain.

As a corporate partner of Women in Transport, UKTram is pleased to support the organisation’s latest research initiative examining how women’s safety is being considered across the wider transport system, including walking routes, station environments, interchanges, and public transport.

UKTram has reinforced its commitment to cross-sector learning and technical knowledge, with UKTram's Lead Engineer, Phill Terry, attending two specialist events hosted by the Permanent Way Institution (PWI).

The official opening of the new South Wales Metro Depot at Taff’s Well marks a significant step forward for Transport for Wales (TfW) and a proud moment for the wider light rail sector. His Majesty King Charles’ visit drew national attention and the milestone reflects years of knowledge exchange and operational support facilitated by UKTram and its members. 

Codemakers Limited, the parent company of Metrotech, has been recognised at this year’s Computing - Cloud Excellence Awards, receiving the ‘Highly Commended’ distinction in the Most Innovative Cloud Product or Service category for its flagship product, Permit+.

In this week’s light rail news round-up: Edinburgh Trams receives recognition at the Cloud Computing Awards, South Yorkshire’s newest Tram Train station reaches major construction milestone, West Yorkshire Combined Authority invites views on 2025–26 budget. Learn more about the new Community Rail Partnership launched in South East Wales, the rare 1981 Tyne and Wear Metro film discovered on eBay and heritage tramway events over half term.

UKTram Managing Director, James Hammett, joined industry leaders at the Rail Forum Annual Conference 2025 on the 9th of October, held at Doncaster Racecourse. This year’s theme, “Unleashing the Value of UK Rail”, brought together voices from across the sector to explore the future of integrated transport and innovation.

UKTram Operations Manager Steve Duckering joined international transport leaders in Newcastle on 6–8 October for the UITP Regional & Suburban Railways Division Meeting.

In this week’s round-up: the first of 54 new DLR trains enters service as networks press ahead with renewal and maintenance, Nexus confirms a six-day closure for major track works and SYMCA details Supertram upgrades. Edinburgh Trams supports a packed October events calendar, Nottingham offers student savings, and Dublin’s MetroLink secures planning approval. Plus, Scouts back the LRSSB ‘two lines = stop’ safety campaign and the Global Light Rail Awards celebrate sector excel

UKTram was among the organisations invited to Mott MacDonald’s Urban Transit & Mobility Forum 2025, which took place in Dublin at the Aloft on Thursday, 11th September. 

UKTram Lead Engineer, Phill Terry, represented the organisation at the Permanent Way Institution (PWI) and joined the online Technical Board meeting on 10 September 2025. This was following a technical visit to Cemex Rail Solutions and their sleeper manufacturing facility near Rochester.

UKTram is pleased to announce a new mutual membership agreement with the Permanent Way Institution (PWI), further strengthening collaboration between the UK’s light rail sector and one of the rail industry’s most respected professional bodies. 

In this week’s light rail news round-up: the return of historic trams for Blackpool’s Lightpool festival, a first look at the new DLR trains and Edinburgh Trams’ record-breaking August. Updates also include Bee Network improvements, market engagement events for Dublin’s MetroLink and the reveal of the Global Light Rail Awards shortlist.

Crich Tramway Village, home of The National Tramway Museum in Derbyshire, is seeking new homes for two trams currently in its collection. Following a collections review, the Museum has taken the decision to relinquish ownership of the vehicles, with the aim of giving them the opportunity to be preserved and appreciated elsewhere.

A workplace fatigue monitoring system is entering a new phase of operational testing, following years of collaborative development.