UKTram Light Rail News Round-up | Tramway tributes, fare reforms and restoration milestones | Friday 7th November 2025
- UKTram
- 2 hours ago
- 6 min read
In this week’s UKTram light rail news round-up: networks across the UK pay tribute to servicemen and women with free travel and remembrance events, Manchester introduces simpler fares, Nottingham reports a rise in tram use during the city’s Goose Fair, Nexus announces essential line works and Crich Tramway Village celebrates a restoration milestone. Plus, TfL marks its 25th anniversary with festive prizes and a special Poppy Day partnership.
Members of the Armed Forces and veterans can enjoy free travel on all Bee Network buses and Metrolink trams this Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day.
The offer from Transport for Greater Manchester extends to those carrying a veterans’ badge, MOD90, Defence Discount Service, or Veteran Rail Card, as a gesture of appreciation for their service.
West Midlands Metro will honour the courage and sacrifice of the nation’s servicemen and women this Remembrance weekend with a heartfelt tribute and a gesture of gratitude.
At 11:00 a.m. on Sunday 9 November and Tuesday 11 November, all Metro tram services will pause for a two-minute silence to mark Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday. Trams will come to a safe stop, giving passengers and Metro colleagues a moment to reflect on the bravery and dedication of those who served in the two world wars and more recent conflicts.
South Yorkshire’s Supertram network will once again offer free travel for serving members of the Armed Forces and veterans on Remembrance Sunday (9 November) and Armistice Day (11 November). The initiative is a gesture of gratitude to those who have served or continue to serve their country.
Personnel can access free travel by showing a valid military ID, veterans badge, medal, or by wearing their uniform, allowing them to travel freely across the Supertram network as the nation pauses to remember.
Blackpool Transport has announced that all trams and buses will pause at 11am on both Remembrance Sunday (9 November) and Armistice Day (11 November) to mark the national two-minute silence.
The gesture will allow staff and customers across the Fylde coast to pay their respects to those who lost their lives in service. In further tribute, free travel will be offered to veterans, serving military personnel, and uniformed cadets attending Remembrance events on both days.
Edinburgh Trams will mark Remembrance Sunday (9 November) and Armistice Day (11 November) by offering free travel to veterans and serving members of the Army, Navy and Air Force. Those wearing uniform or presenting military ID will be able to travel freely on both days as the operator pays tribute to those who have served and sacrificed.
In the days leading up to the commemorations, Poppy Scotland representatives will be stationed at Haymarket tram stop selling poppies, while poppy displays will adorn tram windows across the network.
Transport for London (TfL) once again joined forces with The Royal British Legion to mark London Poppy Day, with events and collections taking place at 70 stations across the capital.
This year’s campaign featured special station announcements from actress and comedian Jo Brand, alongside poppy-themed designs on London buses, trains, trams and the IFS Cloud Cable Car. The partnership aims to raise over £1 million to support the Royal British Legion’s work with servicepeople and veterans.
From the 7th of December, passengers travelling between stations in Greater Manchester will benefit from a simpler two-tier fare system, Anytime and Off-Peak, replacing over a dozen complex options. The change, led by Transport for Greater Manchester and supported by the government’s fare reform programme, will make travel more transparent and user-friendly.
More than half of journeys will cost less, with this update paving the way for full integration of rail into the Bee Network by December 2026.
New figures from Nottingham Express Transit (NET) have revealed an upward trend in people choosing the city’s tram network to travel to Nottingham’s Goose Fair event. During the ten-day duration of this year’s fair, passenger numbers rose by 13% compared to 2024’s figures – the equivalent of 68,000 more tram journeys.
The figures show an increase in trust in the network, and a rise in locals choosing the trams as their preferred mode of transport during busier periods within the city.
Reconstruction of the George’s Dock Bridge in Dublin is moving into its next phase following the August fire. Crews are now carrying out beam lifting, steel fixing, and concrete pouring, with some evening and weekend activity planned to maintain progress.
Luas has thanked local residents, businesses, and passengers for their patience as these essential infrastructure works continue.
South Yorkshire Combined Authority (SYCA) is inviting feedback on several key public transport consultations this autumn, aimed at improving connectivity and customer experience across the region.
The consultations a Customer Principles survey (10–24 November) shaping how SYCA delivers a positive passenger experience. Residents and non-residents alike are encouraged to share their views via the website to help shape a more integrated, accessible transport network for South Yorkshire.
Transport for London (TfL) is marking the end of its 25th anniversary year with a festive prize draw, giving customers the chance to win experiences that showcase the best of the capital this winter.
Prizes include theatre and ice-skating tickets, sightseeing bus and boat tours and even a champagne trip on the IFS Cloud Cable Car.
The initiative rounds off a landmark year for TfL, celebrating 25 years of innovation, accessibility and cleaner, safer transport across the city. Entries close at midnight on Sunday, 7th December, and customers can enter online or by post, sharing what they love most about London at Christmas.
At the recent Railway Industry Association event, James Price, Chief Executive of Transport for Wales (TfW), delivered an inspiring address on the evolution of rail in Wales and the organisation’s ambitious plans for the future.
Reflecting on the transformation from the days of ageing rolling stock to today’s modern network, he highlighted the South Wales Metro project, integrating heavy rail, light rail and tram-train technology. Price described it as “a railway that changes lives,” connecting communities, improving accessibility, and driving economic growth. The Class 398 tram-trains are due to enter service next year and will enable travel between train and tram systems.
A five-day closure of the Tyne and Wear Metro line between Regent Centre and Airport will take place from Wednesday 26th to Sunday 30th November, enabling Nexus to deliver essential investment in new track and associated infrastructure.
Part of the wider Metro Asset Renewal Programme, the project will see work carried out at Ponteland Road Metro bridge to improve reliability and support long-term service performance. A frequent replacement bus service (901) will operate throughout the closure, calling at or near all affected stations.
As reported by British Trams online, The Tramcar Sponsorship Organisation (TSO) has announced plans to help fund the return of Johannesburg 60 to service at Crich Tramway Village, joining a long list of historic restorations made possible through their support.
Built in 1906 by the United Electric Car Company in Preston and later exported to South Africa, the open-platform double-decker tram was withdrawn from service in 1960 before being preserved at Crich, where it first ran in 1966.
Regular Seaton Tramway contributor Gavin Haig has shared his latest birdwatching trip report, capturing a lively autumn morning along the Axe Estuary, a prime location for spotting wildlife from the comfort of the tram.
As Seaton Tramway runs beside the estuary, it offers the perfect vantage point for visitors to enjoy the region’s diverse birdlife. During Gavin’s recent outing, enthusiasts recorded 57 species.
The report highlights how the changing season brings fresh opportunities for nature lovers to combine a scenic tram journey with exceptional birdwatching in East Devon’s stunning wetlands. UKTram and LRSSB Collaboration and innovation in the spotlight at ‘Focus on Light Rail’ event >>
Representatives from across the light rail sector gathered in Leeds this week for the Focus on Light Rail event, jointly hosted by Rail Forum and the UKTram, to explore opportunities and challenges across the evolving public transport landscape.
Speakers included senior representatives from West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Keolis, Stadler, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Network Rail, London Trams, Nottingham Trams (NET) and the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board, alongside UKTram Managing Director James Hammett, who highlighted the shared goals of the light and heavy rail sectors.
UKTram’s Operations Manager, Steve Duckering, represented the UK’s light rail sector at the 81st UITP Light Rail Committee Meeting in Toronto from 27th to 29th October 2025, joining global leaders to exchange innovation and operational insights.
The biannual meeting brought together senior representatives from systems across Europe, North America, Asia and South America to explore emerging trends in light rail, such as vehicle maintenance and socioeconomic impact.
The next round-up will be published on Friday, 14th November, 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