UK and Ireland Tram and Light Rail Round-up: International Women’s Day celebrations, Luas contract win and network upgrades | 13 March
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- 8 min read
The latest from the Voice of Light Rail across the UK and Ireland
In this week's UK and Ireland tram and light rail round-up: KeolisAmey secures new contract to operate Dublin’s Luas network, more network-wide International Women's Day highlights and Transport for London (TfL) marks International Bystander Awareness Day with safety campaign. Plus, Tyne and Wear Metro control room to receive £8.8m system upgrade, West Yorkshire investment pipeline backs future mass transit plans and Supertram highlights work of presentation team. Heritage highlights this week include Volk’s Electric Railway volunteers preparing the line ahead of the 2026 season, and Heaton Park Tramway highlights a historic South Lancashire tramcar.
KeolisAmey has been awarded a new contract to operate Dublin’s Luas network, one of the busiest light rail systems in Europe. The contract has been awarded by Ireland’s National Transport Authority and will see the operator continue managing the capital’s iconic tram system.
Luas carries tens of millions of passenger journeys each year and plays a vital role in Dublin’s public transport network. The renewed agreement reinforces KeolisAmey’s long-standing role in delivering safe, reliable and customer-focused light rail services while supporting the continued growth and development of the network.
South Yorkshire Supertram has highlighted the work carried out by its Presentation Team to maintain trams, stops and surrounding infrastructure across the network. The team is responsible for routine cleaning and inspections to ensure services remain safe and welcoming for passengers.
Recent work included a deep clean of one of the network’s Siemens trams using specialist equipment to remove built-up dirt and chewing gum. In a separate update on LinkedIn, Supertram also marked International Women's Day by recognising the contribution of women across its workforce.
Transport for London has marked International Bystander Awareness Day with awareness events at Victoria station and Stratford bus station. The initiative used virtual reality demonstrations to help passengers understand how to support others who may be experiencing harassment or abuse on the transport network.
The campaign forms part of TfL’s wider work with policing partners to tackle hate crime and improve safety across public transport. As noted by TfL, CCTV is installed across most services including buses and trams, helping support investigations and improve passenger security.
KeolisAmey Metrolink has marked International Women's Day with a week of activities designed to support and inspire colleagues across the business. Reflecting this year’s theme, Give to Gain, the programme included career drop-in sessions, workshops and interactive learning opportunities.
Highlights included a Women’s Power Hour workshop focused on confidence and career development, alongside a Virtual Reality experience exploring behaviours faced by women across the network. The activities aimed to encourage discussion, shared learning and greater awareness across teams.
Transport for Wales will trial a new crowd management approach following the Wales v Italy Six Nations fixture in Cardiff on 14 March. The initiative will direct Valleys and Vale rail passengers to Cardiff Queen Street station rather than Cardiff Central to improve passenger flow after the match.
The trial forms part of preparations for major redevelopment works at Cardiff Central station and the wider Cardiff Crossrail and South Wales Metro programmes.
Regional leaders have approved a major investment pipeline aimed at boosting connectivity, economic growth and housing across West Yorkshire. The package includes £230 million in new funding for transport improvements, regeneration projects and infrastructure across Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield.
The investment builds on ongoing plans to deliver a future West Yorkshire Mass Transit network, which is expected to form a central part of the region’s long-term transport strategy. Routes under development are set to connect Leeds with surrounding areas including Bradford.
Nexus has announced an £8.8 million upgrade to the control room systems used to operate the Tyne and Wear Metro network. The project will replace the existing Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, originally installed in the mid-1990s, with a modern digital platform.
The upgrade will improve monitoring and fault detection across key infrastructure including power supply, alarms, lighting, lifts and escalators. Some early morning and late evening closures will be required during the installation period, with replacement buses operating while the work takes place.
West Midlands Metro marked International Women's Day with an event recognising the contribution of women across the organisation. The initiative focused on this year’s theme, Give to Gain, with sessions centred on wellbeing, confidence building and professional development.
Colleagues gathered at the Wednesbury depot for a day of discussion and learning, including contributions from guest speakers and a “Give to Gain Corner” where staff shared goals for the year ahead. Metro said the event reflects its ongoing commitment to supporting diversity and promoting career opportunities for women in light rail.
The new station on the Sheffield–Rotherham Tram Train route is nearing completion, marking a milestone for the region’s expanding tram-train network. The Magna Tram Train station project has been delivered through collaboration between Network Rail, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and delivery partners.
The station is expected to improve connectivity between Sheffield, Rotherham and surrounding areas while supporting regeneration and access to employment, education and visitor destinations in the Magna and Templeborough area.
Essential maintenance works on the Blackpool Tramway will see tram services terminate at Fisherman’s Walk for up to three weeks from 15 March. The Fleetwood Ferry, Victoria Street and London Street stops will be temporarily closed while upgrades are carried out ahead of the summer season.
A 15-minute service will continue to operate between Fisherman’s Walk and Starr Gate, with passengers able to complete journeys using local bus services. The works form part of ongoing efforts to improve reliability and comfort across the network.
Blackpool Transport marked International Women's Day this week by recognising the contribution of women working across its bus and tram operations. The operator highlighted the roles women play across driving, engineering, planning and operational teams supporting services across the Fylde Coast.
Reflecting this year’s theme, Give to Gain, the organisation also shared the experiences of female colleagues working in the industry. Staff spoke about the importance of challenging stereotypes and encouraging more women to consider careers in public transport.
The National Transport Authority has launched a public consultation on how pets may travel across the Transport for Ireland network. The consultation invites feedback from the public on whether pets should be permitted on services and under what conditions.
Guide dogs and assistance dogs are currently allowed across all services, while small animals are permitted on the Luas when carried in an enclosed carrier. The consultation will remain open until 20 March 2026.
Heritage highlights
The National Tramway Museum recently appeared on BBC East Midlands Today to highlight its recent name change and upcoming reopening for the 2026 season. The museum thanked local supporters for helping share the news and confirmed it looks forward to welcoming visitors back from 14th March.
The museum also marked International Women’s Day by celebrating the contributions of women involved in the organisation and the wider heritage tramway sector, highlighting team members and volunteers who help preserve and share the history of Britain’s tramways.
Seaton Tramway is offering visitors the chance to explore the Axe Estuary on a special guided birdwatching tram trip taking place on Sunday, 15th March. The two-hour journeys travel through the Seaton Marshes and Colyford Common nature reserves, areas known for their rich wildlife and seasonal bird populations.
Led by local experts, the trips offer exclusive access to quieter parts of the valley and the opportunity to spot between 30 and 50 bird species during a single visit.
Volk’s Electric Railway volunteers prepare line ahead of 2026 season >>
Volunteers at Volk’s Electric Railway have been carrying out a range of maintenance activities ahead of the start of the 2026 season. Work during the latest volunteer working day included track lubrication, vegetation clearance, litter picking and repairs to point blade slide plates on the East Loop.
Additional tasks included maintenance of cattle grids and crossing lights, along with preparatory work at Aquarium Station. Seasonal staff are expected to begin operations shortly, with services due to start running regularly ahead of the railway’s official season opening on 28 March.
Heaton Park Tramway has shared the story of the sole surviving vehicle from the historic South Lancashire Tramways network. The remaining lower deck of Tramcar 65, originally built by Brush in 1906, is currently on display at the Museum of Transport Greater Manchester.
The South Lancashire system once connected towns including Leigh, Atherton, Walkden and Farnworth, linking with neighbouring tram networks across the North West. Its closure in 1933 marked the end of direct tram connections between the Manchester and Liverpool systems.
UKTram updates
UKTram has announced that limited places remain for its Light Rail and Tramway Overhead Line Equipment training course delivered in partnership with the NSAR-accredited Skill Step Group. The three-day course will take place in Crewe and will combine classroom learning with practical sessions focused on light-rail OLE systems.
The programme covers system fundamentals, maintenance activities, and safe working practices to support engineers and technical teams across the sector. The first course is being offered at a reduced cost as part of UKTram’s commitment to skills development and knowledge sharing.
Described by organisers as the UK’s leading meeting place for the integrated transport infrastructure community, the event brought together clients, decision-makers and industry experts to explore how a more decarbonised, resilient and connected transport system can be delivered.
Tim Bilby, Stakeholder and Innovation Manager, represented UKTram, participating in a roundtable discussion hosted by Hitachi and visiting UKTram members at the event. The programme also featured an update on the Coventry Very Light Rail (VLR) project by UKTram Board Member Nicola Small, and a breakfast briefing hosted by Women in Transport on the second day.
UKTram’s Digital Marketing and Communications Manager, Chelsea Branch, recently joined a panel of industry professionals for a Women in Transport West Midlands Hub webinar celebrating International Women’s Day 2026.
Held online on 10th March, the session brought together speakers across the transport sector to share reflections on career development and pathways into the industry.
UKTram welcomes Getzner as a new member, adding technical expertise to our expanding community supporting light rail development and operations.
As a global specialist in vibration-isolation solutions for railway, construction, and industrial applications, Getzner has more than 50 years of research and experience. The company works to reduce vibration and noise while improving system performance and extending the service life of infrastructure components.
UKTram Member, and you'd like to be included in the round-up or the Members News section of the UKTram website. Please send your press releases, event updates and career opportunities to chelsea.branch@uktram.co.uk
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