UK and Ireland Tram and Light Rail Round-up | Restoration, recruitment and community partnerships >>
- Jun 5
- 9 min read
In this week's UK and Ireland Tram and Light Rail Round-up: KeolisAmey Docklands announces new charity partners, KeolisAmey Metrolink recognised at international Keolis awards, Blackpool heritage tram trip supports residents living with dementia and Edinburgh Trams marks 12 years of service. Plus, Luas tram returns to service following extensive restoration, Glasgow Subway expands digital payment options and West Midlands Metro encourages Pride visitors to travel by tram. Keep reading for heritage highlights and sector career opportunities.
Edinburgh Trams is celebrating its 12th anniversary this weekend, marking more than a decade of connecting communities, businesses and visitors across the Scottish capital. The milestone follows another strong year for the network, with 12.5 million passenger journeys recorded in 2025 and continued growth in the use of its Tap On, Tap Off ticketing system.
The operator also reported four of its five busiest days on record during 2025, driven by Edinburgh’s festival season and major events at Murrayfield Stadium, including a new daily ridership record of 77,000 journeys.
Luas tram 5037 has returned to passenger service on the Green Line after undergoing a major restoration programme following damage sustained during disorder in Dublin in November 2023. The vehicle was transported to a specialist facility in France, where engineers carried out extensive repair work before it was returned to Ireland earlier this year.
The tram completed a complex journey back to Dublin in three sections before being reassembled, tested and recommissioned at the Sandyford depot. Its return restores the vehicle to the Luas fleet and marks the conclusion of a collaborative international effort involving Transdev Dublin Light Rail, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and specialist engineering teams in France.
Residents, businesses and visitors are being invited to view proposals for a series of improvements to key junctions in Sale town centre designed to make journeys safer and easier for pedestrians, cyclists, bus users and Metrolink passengers.
The plans focus on improving crossings, footways and connections between local shops, services, bus stops and tram stops, while also simplifying traffic movements at several busy junctions. The proposals form part of the wider Sale West to Altrincham Network Improvements programme, with public consultation events taking place throughout June ahead of potential construction work in 2027.
West Midlands Metro is encouraging people attending Wolverhampton Pride this weekend to make use of the tram network, with services providing direct access to the city centre and the event site at West Park.
The annual celebration is expected to attract thousands of visitors, with trams running frequently throughout the day and park and ride facilities available across the network. This year's event will feature a range of entertainment, including the Ultimate Boyband Party Show, as Wolverhampton hosts one of the region's largest LGBTQ+ celebrations.
Passengers travelling on the Glasgow Subway can now use the digital Glasgow Gift Card to tap in and out at all 15 stations across the network, following the introduction of new payment technology by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport.
The development builds on the recent launch of contactless Pay As You Go travel and allows customers to use the digital card directly at automatic ticket gates. The Glasgow Gift Card forms part of the wider Scotland Loves Local initiative, which supports spending with thousands of businesses across the country.
KeolisAmey Docklands has named Island House Community Centre and the National All Star Skills Academy (NASSA) as its charity partners for the next two years following a competitive selection process involving 38 applications from organisations across East London.
The two charities were selected for their strong local impact, with Island House Community Centre supporting hundreds of people each week through wellbeing, training and community services, while NASSA works with young people through sport, education and mentoring programmes. Colleagues from across the Docklands Light Railway operator will now support the organisations through fundraising, volunteering and community engagement activities.
KeolisAmey Metrolink has been awarded the Jury People Award at this year’s Keolis Group TOPEX event in Paris, recognising the operator’s work in developing an inclusive, people-focused organisation.
The submission highlighted progress across workforce diversity, colleague development and community engagement, including innovative initiatives such as the use of virtual reality technology to tackle anti-social behaviour and raise awareness of violence against women and girls.
Blackpool Transport has partnered with Trinity Hospice to provide a special heritage tram experience for local residents living with dementia as part of Dementia Action Week. Passengers, accompanied by carers, enjoyed a nostalgic journey along the promenade aboard Blackpool's historic Balloon tram 717, with the outing including fish and chips at Papas and a traditional seaside singalong.
The group travelled between Pleasure Beach and Little Bispham, joined by Blackpool's Mayor-elect Councillor Danny Scott and Mayoress-elect Councillor Michele Scott for the occasion.
Three members of the Supertram team are preparing to tackle the National Three Peaks Challenge this month in support of Andy's Man Club, the UK charity that provides free peer-to-peer support groups for men. Tram Driver Simon Scanes, Conductor Charlie Gillott and Rolling Stock Maintenance Lead Technician Gary Wilcock will attempt to climb Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon within 24 hours.
The challenge is being supported through Supertram's Tramendous Together social value programme, with colleagues already raising more than £540 towards their fundraising target through a Coffee, Cake and Chat event. Simon is also well known across the network for organising a range of charity activities, helping raise thousands of pounds for causes including Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice, Cash for Kids and Sheffield Children's Hospital Charity.
The Tyne and Wear Metro's original Class 599 trains are entering their final weeks in passenger service, bringing to a close more than 46 years of operation across the network. Since their introduction in 1980, the fleet has carried around 1.7 billion passenger journeys and travelled more than half a billion kilometres.
A special timetable will run during the week commencing 22 June, giving passengers one final opportunity to travel on the remaining trains before they are withdrawn. Their retirement marks another major milestone in Metro's transition to its new Stadler fleet, with almost all services now operated by the next generation of trains.
Major regeneration and investment plans unveiled at UKREiiF have highlighted the important role future mass transit connections are expected to play in supporting growth across West Yorkshire. Regional leaders outlined proposals that could deliver more than 30,000 new homes, alongside new jobs, infrastructure and investment opportunities across Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield.
Leaders said improved public transport connectivity will be central to unlocking housing, supporting economic growth and creating better links between communities across the region.
Heritage Highlights:
Visitors to the National Tramway Museum will have the opportunity to see another selection from the renowned Robert Whetstone model tram collection this month, with the Tatra exhibition layout set to operate in the Exhibition Hall on 13th June.
The museum is currently caring for a collection of model trams created by the late Robert Whetstone during the 1960s and 1970s. The exhibition is included within standard admission and offers visitors the chance to see the detailed craftsmanship of one of the UK's most notable tramway modelling collections.
Visitors to Seaton Tramway will once again have the chance to take the controls of a heritage tram as the popular Driver's Eye Experience returns from 7 June. The hands-on experience allows participants to drive one of the tramway's historic vehicles between Colyton Station and Seaton Wetlands under the guidance of experienced staff.
Offering up to 40 minutes in the driver's cab and around three miles of driving, the experience provides a unique insight into operating a heritage tram and is available on selected dates throughout the year. While advance booking is recommended, limited spaces may also be available on the day.
Career Opportunities:
Midland Metro Limited has launched recruitment for an Engineering Support Manager to support the safe and reliable operation of the West Midlands Metro network. Based at the Wednesbury Depot, the role will focus on engineering stock management, supply chain resilience, asset data integrity and ensuring maintenance teams have the tools and resources required to keep services running efficiently.
The successful candidate will work closely with engineering, production and planning teams, overseeing everything from critical spare parts and procurement activities to supplier relationships and asset management systems. The position reflects the continued importance of robust engineering support as the Metro network grows and evolves across the West Midlands.
The National Tramway Museum is recruiting a part-time Museum Librarian and Archivist to support the care, management and accessibility of one of the UK's most significant collections of tramway and transport heritage materials.
Based at Crich Tramway Village in Derbyshire, the role will involve working with an extensive archive that includes more than 100,000 photographs, historic tramway journals, engineering drawings, transport company records and a wide range of artefacts and memorabilia. The successful candidate will help process new acquisitions, improve public access to collections and support the museum's ongoing work to preserve and share transport history for future generations.
KeolisAmey Metrolink has launched a recruitment drive for multiple Level 1 Tram Maintenance Technicians as it continues to expand its Rolling Stock Maintenance team. Based within the operator's Engineering Maintenance Department, the roles will support the maintenance and reliability of the tram fleet that serves Greater Manchester.
The positions are aimed at candidates with engineering qualifications and maintenance experience, including vehicle technicians looking to move into heavy engineering. Successful applicants will help maintain tram safety and performance while working alongside specialist engineering teams responsible for keeping the Metrolink network moving.
UKTram and LRSSB
UKTram Light Rail Engineers Group (LREG) members met in Edinburgh for a two-day meeting and Best Practice Day, hosted by Edinburgh Trams at Gogar Depot. On the 21st and 22nd of May, the sessions provided an opportunity for engineers, operators and supply chain representatives from across the sector to share updates, discuss operational challenges and exchange best practice, both in person and online.
World Environment Day 2026 marks the launch of UKTram's new From the Board series, offering insight from the people helping to shape the future of light rail across the UK and Ireland. For the first edition, we caught up with UKTram Board member Mathew Taylor.
For the first edition, we caught up with UKTram Board member Mat Taylor. With over 30 years' experience across transport infrastructure and a long-standing focus on light rail, very light rail and sustainable project delivery, Mat brings a unique perspective on the role transport can play in creating connected and environmentally responsible communities.
UKTram is pleased to welcome Octavius Infrastructure and Navitas Engineering to its growing membership network, further strengthening collaboration across the light rail, rail and integrated transport sectors.
Octavius Infrastructure, part of the RSK Group, is a Tier 1 delivery partner specialising in transport infrastructure projects across the UK. Navitas Engineering, an Octavius company, provides specialist electrical engineering consultancy services supporting rail and light rail systems throughout their lifecycle.
An innovative virtual reality project developed by the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board and KeolisAmey Metrolink is helping young people better understand the impact of anti-social behaviour on tramway staff. Since its launch in December 2025, more than 1,600 students across Greater Manchester have experienced the immersive No Excuse for Abuse film through the Bee Network's TravelSafe education programme.
Feedback from participating schools has been overwhelmingly positive, with 94 per cent of students saying they would show greater respect towards Metrolink employees after viewing the film. The project has now been delivered in 11 schools and colleges, while 85 per cent of participants reported a better understanding of the effects that verbal and physical abuse can have on frontline transport staff.
The Light Rail Safety and Standards Board has announced its sponsorship of the Tram Operator of the Year category at the National Transport Awards 2026, reinforcing its commitment to supporting excellence across the light rail sector.
Organised by Transport Times, the awards recognise innovation and achievement across the transport industry, with support from organisations including the Department for Transport, Transport Scotland and Transport for Wales. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on the 1st October, with LRSSB saying the sponsorship provides an opportunity to celebrate the work being undertaken by tram operators to improve safety, performance and customer experience across their networks.
UKTram recently attended the online webinar Flow on Rails: Preparing Kiel for the 2030 Light Rail Rollout, which explored how the German city is working towards reintroducing light rail after more than four decades without a tram system.
Held on 28th May and attended by 42 delegates, the webinar featured presentations from Jan Niemeyer of the Tram for Kiel promotion group and Sebastian Heilmann from Kiel City Council. Together, they shared the approaches being used to build support for the project and move it from ambition towards implementation.
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