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 welcome Tim Bilby to the team as Stakeholder & Innovation Manager, strengthening our capacity to support innovation and engagement across the light rail sector.

As 2025 draws to a close, UKTram is reflecting on a brilliant year for both the organisation and the wider light rail sector. We've had record engagement across functional groups, growing government confidence in light rail investment, and rail patronage across England totalling more than 231 million, with systems outside London seeing a 6% uplift and vehicle miles increasing by 4%.

UKTram has been featured in the latest Rail Director article published by Rail Business Daily, with Managing Director James Hammett reflecting on a pivotal year for the UK light rail sector and the opportunities ahead.

In our final light rail news round-up of 2026: Edinburgh Trams roll out festive Reindeer Trams, West Midlands Metro confirms fare changes from January 2026 and Coventry progresses Very Light Rail demonstrator. Plus, Driver training completed on new Tyne and Wear Metro fleet, TfL completes low-carbon upgrade at London Trams depot, government reaffirms backing for West Yorkshire Mass Transit and festive wishes and reflections from the UKTram team.

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.

In this week’s UKTram light rail news round-up: NET launches safety campaign urging motorists to stay tram aware, Greater Manchester opens consultation on long-term transport vision and West Midlands Metro partners with The Old Rep Theatre for festive discounts. Plus, Blackpool Transport seeks new Managing Director, Luas confirms late-night festive services across Dublin and digital upgrade and matchday operations in focus for Tyne and Wear Metro.

The latest meetings of the Light Rail Engineering Group (LREG) and the accompanying Best Practice Day made for two days of constructive discussion in Manchester on the 20th and 21st of November 2025.

This year, the UKTram and LRSSB teams have taken a new approach to their usual Secret Santa tradition by joining forces to support Toys4Bham, a city-wide Christmas appeal providing gifts for vulnerable children and young people across Birmingham.

In this week’s UKTram light rail news round-up: Supertram thanks customers with free travel and chocolate, Tyne and Wer Metro bridge works progress as part of wider modernisation programme and West Midlands Metro re-launches safety campaign ahead of network expansion. Also featured this week: Edinburgh Trams sets out festive service plans, Manchester Metrolink launches festive colleague recognition postcards, Mr Monopoly takes a trip on Nottingham’s tram network and Luas laun