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.

Building on discussions from the most recent Centre of Excellence (CoE) meeting, UKTram has further strengthened engagement with the British Standards Institution (BSI) by attending the Innovation Management Summit 2025, held on Wednesday 8th October at London’s Science Museum.

In this week’s round-up: Metro steps towards contactless travel with smart validators, Supertram network investment planned over October half-term , while Blackpool Transport has just the ticket for half-term days out. Learn more about the UK-first approach to keeping travelling public safe in Greater Manchester, a train tattoo honouring the historic Metro fleet and the newly appointed Chair for the LRSSB Heads of Safety Group.

The latest meeting of the UKTram Centre of Excellence has highlighted the importance of closer collaboration with the British Standards Institution (BSI) to ensure the light rail and urban transit sectors remain well represented in the development of industry standards.

In this week’s round-up: Luas Cork reaches a key consultation milestone, Transport for London publishes its Annual Report with progress on safety and decarbonisation, while Nexus prepares to host Newcastle’s Climate Change Forum. Manchester Metrolink explores energy optimisation with the University of Birmingham and Supertram celebrates new driver graduates. Meanwhile, NET launches trial of more frequent evening trams and Crich Tramway Village announces its after-dark Tramli

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

A new report from Campaign for Better Transport, Making the Connection: Rail and the sustainable growth opportunity highlights the essential role of light rail in supporting cleaner, better-connected cities. It also features two powerful examples of the mode’s impact and potential.

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

The 2025 Global Light Rail Awards took place in London this week, bringing together operators, suppliers, and industry leaders from around the world to celebrate excellence and innovation in the sector.

Trams remain one of the most effective tools for sustainable growth, regeneration and modal shift in UK cities, according to UKTram Managing Director James Hammett in a recent feature for the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT).

South Yorkshire takes the first step towards procuring a £116m new tram fleet, Edinburgh Trams issues travel advice during a three-day partial shutdown and Luas confirms upcoming Red Line closures. London Trams joins the national ‘Two Lines = STOP’ pedestrian safety campaign and Blackpool boosts services for the rescheduled World Fireworks Championships. Other highlights include TfL’s 25th anniversary wraps, apprentices gaining behind-the-scenes insight at the West Midlands M

More than 120 industry professionals came together in Birmingham yesterday for the sold-out UKTram & LRSSB Light Rail Summit, an annual event packed with sector insights and forward-looking discussion.