UK and Ireland Tram and Light Rail Round-up | Innovation, investment and heritage in motion | Saturday, 9th May 2026
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In this week's UK and Ireland light rail round-up: Smarter Travel Student Awards 2026 Winners Announced by Transport for Ireland, Ambitious plans for heritage trams remain on track, and Edinburgh Trams highlights May events across the capital. Plus, NET to carry out week-long tram maintenance works, Supertram's time-saving Optibus system comes to South Yorkshire, contactless travel use grows on the Glasgow Subway and Tyne and Wear Metro, and the Tyne and Wear Metro names a new maintenance vehicle ‘Ariana Grinder’. Heritage highlights include Seaton Tramway's latest birdwatching report from nature tram tour, Volk’s Electric Railway's rare multi-train operating event and National Tramway Museum celebrates Events Manager’s final tram drive.
Edinburgh Trams has shared its latest round-up of events and entertainment taking place across the city this May, encouraging residents and visitors to make use of the tram network as Edinburgh heads into the summer season. The guide features theatre productions, concerts, comedy and live events taking place across venues including the Edinburgh Playhouse, Usher Hall and Festival Theatre.
The latest campaign also coincides with the first anniversary of Tap On, Tap Off and Edinburgh Trams’ 12th birthday, marking continued growth in contactless travel and customer convenience across the network
Nottingham Express Transit will carry out planned track maintenance works later this month, with services between The Forest and Old Market Square suspended for one week from 24 May. The work will involve replacing a section of track near the Nottingham Trent University tram stop.
The maintenance forms part of NET’s ongoing infrastructure programme to maintain safe and reliable tram operations across the city. Replacement bus services will operate throughout the closure period to support passengers travelling through the affected section of the network.
A bold vision for the future of Blackpool’s famous heritage trams is taking shape ahead of the launch of summer tours featuring several vintage vehicles. The ambitious plans include a permanent home for the historic fleet, as well as regular trips on the seafront by some of the heritage trams.
Blackpool Transport’s new Managing Director, Lea Harrison, has said the revitalisation of heritage operations is one of his top priorities, as well as finding a permanent home for an improved heritage tram attraction.
The National Transport Authority has announced the winners of the Smarter Travel Student Awards 2026, recognising student-led ideas and projects focused on sustainable public transport and smarter travel across Ireland. This year’s programme received a record number of entries, with more than 580 students from 17 campuses taking part.
Projects explored areas including engineering innovation, behavioural change and accessibility, highlighting the growing role of young people in shaping future transport solutions. Four participating students will also join the NTA’s summer internship programme, helping to further develop ideas that could support the future of public transport delivery.
Luas, Irish Rail and An Garda SÃochána have partnered once again for Operation Twin Tracks, a joint initiative focused on community engagement and rail safety across the public transport network. Gardaà from Cabra Station will be visible across the Luas network, engaging with passengers and providing crime prevention advice.
The initiative continues ongoing collaboration between transport operators and emergency services, supporting safer journeys and strengthening public confidence across the network.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland has launched the procurement process for MetroLink’s largest contract package, covering the design, supply, operation and maintenance of Dublin’s future metro system for 25 years. The contract includes rolling stock, signalling, stations, depot facilities and long-term operation of the network.
The move marks another significant step forward for the MetroLink programme as it transitions further into the delivery phase, following earlier procurement activity for enabling works and major civil engineering contracts. Once complete, MetroLink is expected to become a central part of Dublin’s future integrated transport network, supporting sustainable growth and improved connectivity across the region.
Supertram has implemented the Optibus software platform across its network, becoming the first tram operator in the UK to adopt the system. The technology will support planning, scheduling, rostering and operational management across services in Sheffield and Rotherham.
The move is designed to improve efficiency and modernise day-to-day operations through a more streamlined and paperless approach. Alongside the rollout, new workforce scheduling arrangements and a driver app have been introduced to support communication, t and operational performance.
Transport for London has introduced a series of new updates to the TfL Go app, aimed at improving journey planning and travel information across London’s public transport network, including London Trams and the DLR. New features include clearer fare-capping information for contactless users, personalised journey tools, and enhanced live travel updates.
The app also continues to expand real-time service information across the tram, Tube, rail and bus networks, making navigation easier and travel more accessible for passengers across the capital.
The Docklands Light Railway played a key role in supporting travel across the capital during the London Marathon, with KeolisAmey Docklands teams helping keep passengers moving across some of the busiest parts of the route. Customer engagement activity also took place at stations, including Canary Wharf and Crossharbour, throughout the event.
The marathon also saw several DLR colleagues take part in support of local charities.
West Midlands Metro has renewed warnings to motorists following continued incidents involving vehicles entering tram-only infrastructure. Drivers are being urged to follow road signs and signals carefully to avoid putting themselves, passengers and other road users at risk.
The reminder forms part of ongoing efforts to improve safety awareness around tram operations and reduce disruption caused by avoidable incidents on the network.
Contactless travel use grows on Glasgow Subway >>
More than half a million journeys have now been made using contactless Pay As You Go travel on the Glasgow Subway since the system launched in March. Contactless payments now account for more than a third of daily journeys across the network.
The continued uptake reflects growing demand for simpler, more flexible ticketing, while also supporting broader sustainability ambitions by reducing reliance on single-use tickets and smartcards.
Tyne and Wear Metro has introduced a new rail maintenance vehicle designed to support track upkeep and improve long-term network performance. Nicknamed ‘Ariana Grinder’ following a staff competition, the specialised rail grinder will be used to restore rail condition and extend the lifespan of both track and train wheels.
The new vehicle will allow rail profiling work to be carried out more efficiently across the Metro system, supporting smoother journeys and ongoing infrastructure maintenance as part of the network’s wider modernisation programme
KeolisAmey Metrolink has been shortlisted in two categories at this year’s Greater Manchester Good Employment Awards, recognising efforts to support inclusion and workplace culture across the organisation. The operator has been nominated in the Best for Inclusion category, reflecting ongoing work to build a diverse and supportive workforce.
Head of Talent Colette Prince has also been shortlisted for Leader of the Year, recognising her work in championing inclusive recruitment and helping develop a workforce that reflects the communities served by the network.
Pre Metro has met with Stourbridge MP Cat Eccles to discuss proposals to extend the Stourbridge Shuttle to Brierley Hill using Very Light Rail technology. The plans would build on the success of the existing Shuttle service, which has carried more than eight million passengers and consistently delivered high reliability over the past 17 years.
The proposed scheme would use an existing freight corridor to improve connectivity between Stourbridge and Brierley Hill, linking into the wider Midland Metro network. Supporters say the project could offer a cost-effective and sustainable solution to congestion while strengthening public transport options across the Black Country.
Heritage highlights
Seaton Tramway has released the latest update from its birdwatching tram tours, with more than 50 bird species recorded during a recent guided trip along the Axe Estuary. Sightings included migrating wheatears, black-tailed godwits, whimbrel and a Mediterranean gull, alongside large numbers of swallows, sand martins and warblers.
The tours continue to showcase the tramway’s unique position within an important natural landscape, combining heritage transport with wildlife and visitor experiences along the route.
Volk’s Electric Railway hosted a special three and four-train operating day over the Bank Holiday weekend, giving visitors the opportunity to experience the historic railway running at near-full capacity. Additional heritage vehicles were brought into service, with both passing loops in operation across the line.
The event also showcased traditional railway operations, including manual loop token exchanges directed by signallers, offering visitors a closer look at historic railway safety procedures still used on the world’s oldest operating electric railway.
The National Tramway Museum marked the departure of Events Manager Candi with a special opportunity to drive Glasgow tram 22, having never previously taken the controls during her eight years at the museum. The farewell journey took place on one of the museum’s operational heritage trams, celebrating her contribution to events and visitor engagement.
During her time at the museum, Candi played a key role in developing family-friendly events and experiences designed to attract wider audiences and promote transport heritage to new generations.
UKTram and LRSSB updates
DfT funding boost secures continued support for UK light rail sector >>
Renewed funding from the Department for Transport will enable UKTram and the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board to continue supporting the development, safety and growth of the UK light rail sector.
The two organisations will share £4.5 million over the next three years, providing long-term certainty for key programmes focused on safety, standards, collaboration and sector engagement. The funding will support continued work on areas including incident reporting, operational guidance, stakeholder collaboration and knowledge sharing across tram and light rail networks.
UKTram is pleased to announce that tickets for the UKTram & LRSSB Light Rail Summit 2026 will be released on Monday, 11th of May, ahead of the sector’s annual gathering taking place on Wednesday, 16th of September.
Now in its eighth year, the summit continues to provide a platform for discussion on the issues shaping light rail, alongside opportunities to build and develop connections across the sector.Â
UKTram is celebrating ten years of Dan Hill, whose role has evolved alongside both the organisation and the wider light rail sector since joining in 2016. Now serving as Knowledge Manager, Dan has played a key role in supporting collaboration, knowledge sharing and engagement across the industry.
To mark the milestone, UKTram has published a new blog reflecting on Dan’s journey, the evolution of the sector and the growing importance of connecting people, insight and best practice across light rail.
The Light Rail Safety and Standards Board has announced a new partnership with ARUP Australia to develop a series of technical guidance notes for the UK light rail sector. The collaboration will produce 12 documents covering key operational and safety-related topics, including incident management, operational modelling and system performance.
The guidance will draw on international expertise and best practice from comparable light rail systems worldwide, supporting the continued development of safer, more resilient and efficient tram and metro networks across the UK.
The latest edition of Rail Director magazine has placed a strong spotlight on the light rail sector, featuring contributions from both UKTram and the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board. Coverage includes an interview with LRSSB Chief Executive Carl Williams, exploring the organisation’s evolving role in supporting safety, standards and sector resilience across UK tramways.
The edition also features UKTram’s article focused on turning ambition into delivery, alongside wider commentary and perspectives reflecting ongoing investment, collaboration and innovation across the light rail industry.
UKTram is pleased to welcome Telent as a new member, strengthening the organisation’s growing community. Telent designs, delivers and supports solutions that enable organisations to operate critical ICT and communications networks. With experience across transport, emergency services, network providers, higher education and the public sector, the company brings a strong focus on digital infrastructure and systems integration.
The next round-up will be published on Saturday, 16th May. 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