Light Rail News Roundup, May 2, 2025

In this week’s news from the light rail sector – West Midlands Metro supports race runners and spectators, upgrades to Sheffield Supertram, a busy month ahead for Edinburgh Trams and an update on Tyne & Wear Metro’s new fleet.

UKTram

We’re excited to announce that registration is now open for this year’s UKTram and LRSSB Light Rail Summit, taking place on Thursday 25 September at Austin Court, Birmingham.

Tickets are free, but numbers are strictly limited — and with a high volume of registrations already, we recommend securing your place early to avoid missing out.

West Midlands Metro

West Midlands Metro is set to support thousands of participants and spectators at this year’s AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run on Sunday (May 4), by offering a convenient and reliable way to travel across the city on race day.

With trams running up to every 12 minutes and stops close to key race locations, Metro is the fastest and most reliable way to reach the starting line or cheer on friends and family along the course.

To avoid city centre congestion and Clean Air Zone charges, passengers are encouraged to leave their car at home or use one of the network’s free Park & Ride facilities, and you can read more here.

Sheffield Supertram

Further investment into the Supertram system will take place during the Early May Bank Holiday weekend to enhance and future-proof the network, improving the service for the millions who use it every year. It follows the endorsement of the Supertram Business Plan at the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) Board last month, which saw a commitment to invest over £110m by 2027 including upgrades to the trams, track, control systems and power supplies alongside the construction of a new Tram Train station at Magna.

Works to replace worn rails on the tram network at Gleadless Townend tram stop will run from Saturday, May 3, until Monday, May 5, and affect Blue Route and Purple Route tram services. Further information can be found here.

Edinburgh Trams

The operator is expecting a busy month ahead with the start of the summer concerts at Murrayfield and other major events, together with the launch of a brand-new Tap on, Tap off service.

The fun starts this weekend with the Edinburgh Seafood Festival taking place in St James Quarter. To help customers plan for the month ahead, Edinburgh Trams has published a useful events guide online, and you can find out more here.

Tyne & Wear Metro

Nexus has issued an update on the rollout of the new Metro train fleet following a temporary suspension of new trains entering service.

Cathy Massarella, Managing Director of Nexus, has confirmed the new fleet has started to be reintroduced into service. She said the operator had worked closely with Stadler to identify a solution.

To read the statement in full, click here.

LRSSB

West Midlands Metro has become the latest tramway to join a national campaign aimed at reducing the risk of collisions between pedestrians and trams.

Led by the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board, the initiative urges people to pay attention to their surroundings when near the tracks with the bold message, ‘Two Lines = STOP’.

From this week, passengers and members of the public will notice eye-catching graphics across the Metro network, including on tram shelters, posters, and dedicated safety signage. 

These have been designed to stand out and grab attention, even in familiar environments, and you can find out more here.

Heritage

Anyone looking for something to do the next Saturday and Sunday (May 10-11) can take the opportunity to visit the last Brighton Corporation Tramways passenger tram – no. 53.

British Trams Online reports that an Open Weekend is taking place at its base near Steyning, and you can read the full story here.

For the past 15 years, the Brighton Tram Society have been restoring no. 53, a tramcar which had a painfully limited operating career. Built in 1936 – the last tram to be built at Lewis Road Depot – it would be withdrawn when the tramway closed in 1939 after barely starting its operating life.

To be included in the next Round-up or the Members News section of the UKTram website, send your press releases, events and career opportunities to news@uktram.org