top of page
Search

Light Rail News Roundup, April 11th, 2025

  • Writer: UKTram
    UKTram
  • Apr 11
  • 4 min read

In this week’s news from the light rail sector - Plans for a new pedestrian bridge spanning tram lines in Bury, West Midlands Metro launches Easter competition, BBC report on the Coventry VLR project, maintenance works in Edinburgh, Luas career opportunities and historical horse trams return for the 2025 season.


Manchester Metrolink

Artist's impression of new pedestrian bridge linking to tram platforms at Bury Interchange

A new pedestrian bridge will pave the way for full redevelopment of Bury Interchange, turning it into Greater Manchester’s first operationally carbon-neutral transport hub.


Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has submitted plans for the new town centre footbridge to Bury Council. Spanning the tram lines from Union Square – between the Premier Inn and Q-Park car park – to Pyramid Park, the bridge will serve as a second, new access to the tram platforms. 


As a permanent fixture in the town centre, the bridge will play a critical role in the overhaul of Bury Interchange, ensuring that passengers can still access trams when the interchange closes for its £ 80+ million upgrade planned from 2027.



Blackpool Transport

A purple and white Blackpool Tram on the Tramway by North Pier

PlusBus has introduced a day e-ticket that can be used on Blackpool Transport’s buses and trams.  


Designed to meet customer demand, this new ticket launched on 7th April and is available to buy on all leading rail ticketing apps when purchasing a train ticket. 

Ideal for commuters and holidaymakers alike, the new PlusBus e-ticket offers unlimited daily travel on buses and trams and can be purchased by customers who are departing or arriving in Blackpool via train.


Edinburgh Trams

A tram in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Trams is undertaking scheduled maintenance on 13 April, 4 May, and 11 May, which will affect early morning Sunday services. 


Works will be carried out at night to minimise the impact on services. Edinburgh Trams will operate a reduced service, but the first few trams, which will run every 30 minutes until the works are completed, won't serve affected stops. 


The first few trams will run between Edinburgh Park Station and Newhaven on 13 April, and on both May dates, trams will operate between Haymarket and Newhaven.



West Midlands Metro

A Graphic Showing the Metro Eastter Egg Hunt from the West Midlands Metro, a baby chick in a blue egg, and text reading ' Metro Easter Egg Hunt Hop on for the Chance to Win this Easter!.'

This Easter, West Midlands Metro is injecting a sense of fun across the region with a tram-wide Easter Egg Hunt from April 14th to April 27th. 


Whether commuting, exploring, or just out and about, passengers are invited to search for colourful Easter Eggs hidden throughout the tram network, including on- -board the trams. 


By scanning each egg, customers can enter a special draw with a chance to win some great prizes: a £150 voucher for the National SEA LIFE Centre and LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Birmingham, courtesy of Merlin Entertainments, one month of free tram travel, £50 dining vouchers, and a stash of exclusive Metro merchandise.



Luas

A Luas Tram Travelling through city centre at night, tram stop shot

Luas is looking to recruit dedicated individuals who are passionate about keeping Dublin moving and providing quality public transport for Luas customers. 


With openings for two technicians, a maintenance team manager, a depot manager and a tram maintainer, this is an opportunity to join a team responsible for thousands of passenger journeys around Dublin daily. 


Most roles are permanent, full-time positions offering a range of benefits and competitive salaries. For more information, visit the website.  



Tyne & Wear Metro

With the introduction of Pop cards on the Northumberland Line, Nexus has rolled out an integrated pay-as-you-go ticketing product. Conducted in partnership with Northern and the Rail Delivery Group, the initiative connects the national railway network with local light rail services.


The Pop Pay As You Go (PAYG) product is an affordable way to travel using the Northumberland Line and Metro. It can be used at each of the Northumberland Line’s new stations. 


This makes it the first live implementation of daily capped fares across heavy rail and light rail services using the existing ITSO technology.



Very Light Rail

Concrete slabs laid on a demonstrator Very Light Rail Track in Coventry City Centre

The BBC has put Very Light Rail in the spotlight this week with a report on plans to bring trams back to Coventry – 85 years since the last one ran through the city.


Coventry City Council originally proposed a VLR to link the city with the proposed HS2 stop in Solihull. It has developed the VLR system in partnership with WMG at the University of Warwick and the Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation, which runs Dudley’s Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre. 


A 220m demonstrator track between Greyfriars Road and Queen Victoria Road is already under construction and expected to be up and running by the end of May.



Heritage

The BBC reports that the Isle of Man's historical horse trams have returned for the 2025 season. The first tram, pulled by horse Torrin, set off from Derby Castle on Douglas Promenade on 3rd April, with the season set to run until 2 November.


First launched in 1876 to take advantage of the island's tourism trade, the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway is now operated as part of the government's heritage railway offering.


The trams are part of the island's vintage transport network, which also includes the Manx Electric Railway, Snaefell Mountain Railway and Isle of Man Steam Railway.



To be included in the next round-up or the Members News section of the UKTram website, send your updates, press releases, events and careers to 


Comments

bottom of page