Countdown to UK Rail 2026: UKTram set to join sector at NEC Birmingham
- 13 minutes ago
- 2 min read
With two weeks to go, anticipation is building for UK Rail 2026, taking place on the 13th and 14th May at the NEC Birmingham. As a strategic partner of the event, UKTram is supporting this major industry gathering, which brings together leaders from across rail projects, operators, suppliers and innovators. The event provides a platform to connect and explore the future direction of rail across the UK.
It’s fantastic to see light rail featured within the conference programme, highlighting its role in supporting urban mobility, sustainability and network integration.
On 13th May, UKTram Board Member Nicola Small, Programme Director for Very Light Rail at Transport for West Midlands, will present a session titled How very light rail can transform urban mobility and connect communities to the wider network. The session will explore how very light rail solutions can expand connectivity, support accessible travel and strengthen links between local and national networks.
On 14th May, Tim Bilby, UKTram Stakeholder and Innovation Manager, will present Customer excellence: Lessons from the UK’s light rail network. The session will explore how operational approaches from light rail can support reliability, simplicity and improved customer experience, while offering insight for the wider rail sector.
Alongside this, Chelsea Branch, UKTram Digital Marketing and Communications Manager and Dan Hill, Knowledge Manager, will lead a workshop session delivered by the UKTram Rising Stars Group. Titled Routes into Rail and Light Rail, the session will explore different pathways into the sector, combining personal insight with a collaborative group exercise to map career routes and encourage more inclusive entry points into the industry.
The event is expected to welcome more than 3,000 attendees, with over 100 exhibitors and a multi-track conference programme covering digital innovation, sustainability and passenger and freight futures.
UK Rail continues to bring together the full supply chain, creating opportunities to break down silos, build partnerships and share knowledge across disciplines, including engineering, digital systems, telecoms, energy and customer experience.
UKTram will be present throughout the two-day event, with members of the team on hand at the exhibition, looking forward to connecting with members, partners and new contacts across the two days.
If you’re attending, make sure to stop by the UKTram stand and say hello. To register for a free ticket, click here.