UK and Ireland Tram and Light Rail Round-up | Connections, milestones and investment in the future | 26th June 2026
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In this week's UK and Ireland tram and light rail round-up: West Midlands Metro reaches Dudley for the first time in almost a century, Bee Network offers free travel for Armed Forces Day, Luas prepares for Dublin Pride parade and operators issue hot weather travel advice. Plus, next phase of Supertram upgrades to take place this weekend, UKTram celebrates International Women in Engineering Day, Manx Electric Railway celebrates first all-female tram crew and Douglas Bay Horse Tramway launches design competition for 150th anniversary.
West Midlands Metro has reached a major milestone, with test trams entering Dudley for the first time since 1930 as testing and commissioning begins on the network's eagerly anticipated extension.
The achievement comes as Metro also celebrates its eighth anniversary, marking eight years of network growth, fleet investment and improved connectivity across the West Midlands. Once complete, the Dudley extension will provide new links across the Black Country, making it easier for people to travel for work, education and leisure, while representing another significant step in the continued expansion of the region's light rail network.
The next phase of South Yorkshire's £110 million Supertram improvement programme will take place this weekend, with rail replacement works scheduled in the Waterthorpe area on 27th and 28th June.
Blue Route services will operate between Malin Bridge and Drake House Lane/Beighton, with replacement buses serving the section to Halfway while the essential works are carried out. The upgrades form the latest stage of the ongoing investment programme to renew track, trams, power supplies and control systems, helping to extend the life of the network and improve reliability for passengers.
Tram operators across the UK reminded passengers to plan ahead this week, with Nottingham Express Transit (NET) and KeolisAmey Metrolink among those issuing hot weather travel advice.
Both operators say they are closely monitoring conditions, as extreme heat can affect rolling stock and infrastructure, and are encouraging passengers to allow extra time for journeys, stay hydrated, and check the latest service updates before travelling. The guidance also reminds customers to look out for fellow passengers who may become unwell as networks work to maintain safe and reliable services during the heatwave.
KeolisAmey Docklands has been supporting colleagues at Keolis Commuter Services in Boston as they prepare to manage passenger demand during the FIFA World Cup.
Drawing on its experience of delivering reliable services during large-scale events in London, members of the Docklands team have been sharing operational expertise to support planning and passenger management. The collaboration highlights the value of international knowledge sharing across the Keolis network, helping operators prepare for major events while maintaining safe and reliable public transport services.
Luas is preparing for increased passenger numbers this weekend as Dublin Pride returns to the city on Saturday, 27th June, with temporary service changes in place while the annual parade takes place.
Services on both the Green and Red lines will be adjusted during the event, with sections of each route temporarily suspended before returning to normal later in the day.
Passengers are being encouraged to plan their journeys in advance, allow extra time for travel and make use of Luas Park and Ride facilities, as thousands of people are expected to travel into the city to celebrate one of Ireland's largest annual events.
Military personnel, veterans and cadets will be able to travel free on Bee Network buses and Metrolink services this Saturday as Greater Manchester marks Armed Forces Day.
The offer applies to members of the Regular and Reserve Forces, veterans carrying an eligible ID card or railcard, and cadets travelling in uniform. The initiative forms part of Transport for Greater Manchester's ongoing commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, supporting those who serve or have served, while making it easier for people to attend Armed Forces Day events taking place across the city-region.
Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) has announced four planned Sunday closures of the Glasgow Subway as work continues on the modernisation of its signalling and communications systems.
Services will not operate on 19th July, 16th August, 23rd August and 30th August to allow final testing of the new signalling technology and the transfer of operations to the Subway's new control room. The closures will also support testing of platform screen doors at Govan, Partick and Ibrox stations, with passengers expected to benefit from enhanced passenger information, automated announcements and the phased introduction of the new platform screen doors once the upgraded systems enter service.
As the Tyne and Wear Metro's original Class 599 trains enter their final guaranteed week of passenger service, one of the network's first drivers has reflected on the fleet that helped transform public transport across the North East.
Bill Dodds, who joined Metro when it opened in 1980 and spent 34 years driving the trains, described the retirement of the iconic fleet as an emotional moment. Having carried 1.7 billion passenger journeys over 46 years, the trains have exceeded their original design life by more than a decade. While paying tribute to the role they have played in the region's transport history, Bill also welcomed the arrival of the new Stadler fleet, saying it will provide a more reliable service and support the Metro network's future growth.
West Midlands Metro joined partners at the 2026 Midlands Metro Alliance Awards Celebration to recognise the winners of this year's Build a Tram Stop project, with Shenstone Lodge taking the top prize.
The initiative encourages students to explore the design and role of modern tram infrastructure, promoting creativity while introducing young people to careers in transport and engineering. West Midlands Metro also congratulated all participating schools and praised the organisers, including Rose Rees MBE, for delivering another successful SEND-focused event that celebrated the achievements of every student involved.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council has unveiled computer-generated images showing how an ultra-light rail system could look as part of its proposed 10-year Growth Plan. According to BBC News, the proposals aim to improve sustainable transport across the conurbation, including reopening the Hamworthy branch line and other measures to ease congestion and support future growth.
Councillors described the proposals as an ambitious long-term vision, while acknowledging that any future tram or very light rail system would require significant government support. If progressed, the scheme would form part of wider plans to improve connectivity, support regeneration and create a more sustainable transport network across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Heritage Highlights: Douglas Bay Horse Tramway launches design competition for 150th anniversary >>
The Douglas Bay Horse Tramway has launched an island-wide design competition to mark the 150th anniversary of one of the Isle of Man's most iconic transport attractions.
Open to students and teachers across the island, the competition invites entrants to create designs inspired by the horse tramway's history, future or significance to the Isle of Man. Entries close on 24 July, with a range of prizes on offer as celebrations continue for one of the world's oldest surviving horse-drawn tramways.
The Manx Electric Railway has marked what is believed to be a first in its more than 130-year history by operating a tram under an all-female crew.
Lesley and Jan made history by taking charge of the service, creating a memorable milestone for one of the British Isles' oldest electric railways. The achievement adds another chapter to the railway's long history while highlighting the growing diversity of today's tram and light rail workforce.
Volk's Electric Railway is introducing monthly accessible shed tours, offering visitors the opportunity to explore behind the scenes of the world's oldest operating electric railway in a relaxed and inclusive environment.
Running on the second Wednesday of each month during the operating season, the tours include a guided visit to the workshop and train shed, where guests can learn about the railway's history, engineering and historic tramcars. Designed with accessibility in mind, the small-group experience offers step-free access where possible, a calm pace and additional support for disabled visitors, carers and anyone who would benefit from a quieter visit.
UKTram and LRSSB (Light Rail Safety and Standards Board) Updates LRSSB strengthens international safety partnership >>
The Light Rail Safety and Standards Board (LRSSB) has strengthened its international links after signing an Affiliation Agreement with the Transit Rail Association for Canadian Contractors, Maintainers, Operators and Standards (TRACCS).
The new partnership will encourage closer collaboration between the two organisations, creating opportunities to share knowledge, strengthen safety best practice and explore future joint projects. LRSSB says the agreement also reflects its growing international profile, with the organisation continuing to build relationships that support the development of safer light rail systems.
UKTram recently joined light rail professionals from across the world at the 82nd UITP Light Rail Committee Meeting, held in Bergen, Norway, from the 15th to the 17th June 2026.
Hosted by Bybanen Bergen Light Rail, the three-day event welcomed 39 representatives from light rail organisations across Europe, Asia and South America, providing an opportunity to share expertise, explore emerging trends and discuss key challenges and opportunities facing the global light rail community.
For this week's International Women in Engineering Day, UKTram celebrated the women helping shape the future of light rail and the wider transport sector. We invited members to nominate colleagues from across their organisations to take part in an awareness campaign to showcase the many different voices and career journeys in our industry.
The response was overwhelming. We spoke with women maintaining infrastructure, managing projects, and designing future networks - each making significant contributions across the sector. Their stories show there is no single path into engineering or transport.
This week, UKTram shared more details about its partnership with Railway Children, the official charity for this year's UKTram and LRSSB Light Rail Summit.
For the first time in the event's history, proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to charity, helping support Railway Children's work protecting vulnerable children across transport networks. Taking place on the 16th September in Birmingham, the Summit will once again provide an opportunity for the light rail community to share knowledge, discuss key industry issues and strengthen connections across the sector, while supporting an important charitable cause.
UKTram contributed to national discussions on the future of public transport infrastructure following its speaking engagement at Public Transport Asset Management UK 2026, hosted by Global Mass Transit in London.
Held at Park Plaza London Riverbank on the 23rd of June, the conference explored how organisations are responding to ageing infrastructure, digital transformation and the changing demands placed on transport networks.
The next round-up will be published on Friday, 3rd July. If you are a UKTram Member, and you'd like to be included in the round-up shared on the website, socials and our exclusive Members' hub, please send your press releases, event updates and career opportunities to chelsea.branch@uktram.co.uk