UKTram Light Rail News Round-up | Transport Strategy, Festive Threads and Metro Wi-fi | Friday 12th December 2025
- UKTram
- 7 hours ago
- 7 min read
In this week’s UKTram light rail news round-up: NET launches safety campaign urging motorists to stay tram aware, Greater Manchester opens consultation on long-term transport vision and West Midlands Metro partners with The Old Rep Theatre for festive discounts. Plus, Blackpool Transport seeks new Managing Director, Luas confirms late-night festive services across Dublin and digital upgrade and matchday operations in focus for Tyne and Wear Metro. NET launches safety campaign urging motorists to stay tram aware >>
Nottingham Express Transit has launched a new safety campaign this December, responding to a rise in road traffic collisions involving motorists during the city’s busiest time of year. With thousands of additional drivers travelling into Nottingham for festive events, NET is encouraging road users to take extra care when sharing the highway with trams.
NET’s Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental Manager, Connor Hardy, emphasised the serious risks posed by split-second decisions, noting the challenges of stopping a 40-tonne tram and the consequences for safety and service reliability. Several collisions this year have caused damage to tram cabs and temporary fleet shortages, contributing to service disruption and a reduced timetable earlier in the summer.
Greater Manchester has launched a major public consultation on its Transport Strategy 2050 and Transport Delivery Plan for 2027–37, inviting residents, commuters, students and visitors to help shape the future of travel across the city region. The consultation runs until Monday 9th March 2026.
The plans outline what a fully connected Greater Manchester could look like by 2050, including expanded Metrolink access to every borough, improved bus services, new walking, wheeling and cycling routes, upgraded interchanges and faster, more reliable journey times.
The proposals are supported by £2.5bn in government funding for transport projects through to the early 2030s. Developed with all 10 local councils and a wide range of stakeholders, the strategy sets out how the Bee Network can underpin the region’s ambitions for economic growth, regeneration and a greener, more inclusive city region.
Supertram has refreshed the placement of its “TWO Lines = STOP!” safety boards across key high-footfall locations on the network, reinforcing safe behaviour at tram crossings.
The campaign, developed in partnership with the Light Rail Safety & Standards Board (LRSSB), aims to increase pedestrian awareness by encouraging people to stop, look both ways, and remain alert when crossing tram tracks.
To maximise visibility, the safety boards have now been repositioned at several busy stops, including Cathedral, Castle Square, Fitzalan Square, Shalesmoor, Sheffield Station and the University of Sheffield. Supertram says the initiative reflects its ongoing focus on reducing incidents and maintaining a safe environment for customers and staff. Further details are available via the operator’s latest update.
West Midlands Metro partners with The Old Rep Theatre for festive discounts >>
For the third consecutive year, ticket-holders for this year’s Cinderella pantomime can benefit from a 10% discount on an all-day tram ticket, helping make theatre visits more accessible during the busy Christmas season.
With the Old Rep just a short walk from Grand Central tram stop, the offer provides a convenient, car-free way for families and theatre-goers to enjoy the show, which runs until 31st December. More details are available on the West Midlands Metro website.
Luas has announced extended late-night services on both the Red and Green Lines, helping customers make the most of Dublin’s festive season. Night Luas will operate until the early hours on Friday 12th December, Saturday 13th December, Friday 19th December and Saturday 20th December, with an early finish at 8pm on Christmas Eve. Additional late-night trams will also run on New Year’s Eve.
Services will operate in both directions throughout the evening, stopping at all stations on both lines. Final Night Luas trams will travel westbound from The Point on the Red Line and southbound from Broombridge on the Green Line. Full details of Christmas and New Year timetable arrangements, including Night Luas schedules, are available on the Luas website.
Blackpool Transport Services has launched a recruitment campaign for a new Managing Director, offering a salary of £100,000 - £140,000. The role will provide strategic leadership across both tramway and bus operations, supporting Blackpool Council’s long-term ambitions for a modern, sustainable transport network.
The successful candidate will shape future strategy, drive operational performance and promote innovation, safety and customer service across the network. They’ll also be responsible for commercial growth and strengthening partnerships that support connectivity across Blackpool and the Fylde Coast.
The organisation is seeking an experienced senior leader with strong commercial insight, proven capability in transformational change and excellent stakeholder management skills.
Edinburgh Trams colleagues have once again shown their support for Save the Children by taking part in this year’s Christmas Jumper Day. Teams across the network, including drivers, operational staff, ticketing assistants and office-based colleagues, – stepped out in festive style to raise vital funds for the charity.
Christmas Jumper Day has raised more than £40 million since 2012, helping vulnerable children in the UK and internationally. Edinburgh Trams remains a proud supporter of the initiative and will match the final total raised by staff this year.
Marketing & Communications Manager Becky Love said the team has a long tradition of supporting seasonal fundraising, adding that colleagues are delighted to help spread festive cheer across the city while backing a meaningful cause. Customers travelling may have spotted teams in their most colourful Christmas jumpers on Thursday 11th December.
Glasgow Subway customers enjoyed a festive surprise last weekend as Santa took a break from the reindeer and hopped aboard the network. The special visit saw him greeting passengers, spreading Christmas cheer and handing out small gifts to brighten journeys across the city.
The appearance proved popular with families and commuters alike, with plenty of people stopping to say hello and join in the festivities.
Tyne and Wear Metro has launched its first-ever free public Wi-Fi service as part of a three-month pilot at Central Station, improving digital connectivity for customers in one of the network’s busiest underground locations. The new Metro Connect service, accessed via the Pop App, will offer faster access to real-time updates and online browsing where 4G and 5G coverage is often limited. If the pilot proves successful, Nexus has confirmed that Wi-Fi could be extended to other key stations with poor signal.
Metro is also preparing for significant operational changes ahead of the Wear–Tyne derby match, with temporary station restrictions in place to support the safe movement of both sets of fans. These measures form part of a wider coordinated approach involving both clubs, Northumbria Police, the British Transport Police, and Nexus, with increased police presence and crowd-management plans designed to ensure the event runs smoothly. Fans travelling are encouraged to follow the latest travel advice from their clubs and transport partners to help keep journeys safe and disruption to a minimum.
As part of the annual campaign, Luas depots and reception areas were illuminated in purple, symbolising the ongoing work to remove barriers, promote equal opportunities and create environments where everyone can travel with confidence.
Passengers may also have spotted the return of the “purple aliens”, a creative reminder to pause, reflect and engage with the principles of genuine disability awareness, recognising that awareness is the first step toward meaningful inclusion. Transdev Ireland highlighted its continued focus on fostering an inclusive workplace and ensuring the Luas network remains accessible to all who rely on it. The activity was supported in collaboration with the National Transport Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Transdev.
Transport for London is preparing to mark a major sustainability milestone, confirming it remains on track to fully electrify its fleet by the end of December 2025.
Colleagues from KeolisAmey Docklands were joined by partners from Ford UK to celebrate the achievement and reflect on its impact for greener transport across the capital. Richard Graham, Managing Director at KAD, said: “Delivering a fully electric fleet over four years ahead of schedule is a testament to our team’s commitment and the strength of our partnerships with Ford and Drive Electric. We’re proud to champion sustainability, operational excellence and community wellbeing in east London.”
The latest meetings of the Light Rail Engineering Group (LREG) and the accompanying Best Practice Day made for two days of constructive discussion in Manchester on the 20th and 21st of November 2025.
Hosted across Manchester Museum and TfGM offices, the sessions explored current engineering challenges, shared operational insights, and examined how emerging technologies can support long-term network resilience.
This year, the UKTram and LRSSB teams have taken a new approach to their usual Secret Santa tradition by joining forces to support Toys4Bham, a city-wide Christmas Toy Drive appeal providing gifts for vulnerable children and young people across Birmingham.
Thanks to the generosity and festive spirit of colleagues across both organisations, an incredible £925 has been raised, a sum far beyond expectations and one that will help bring joy to families facing hardship this winter. This impressive amount has enabled the donation of a total of 304 presents.
In the final of our Meet the UKTram Board spotlight series, we chat with Sophie, who joined the us in December 2022, bringing more than 15 years of transport leadership across bus, light rail and heavy rail. As Managing Director of Midland Metro, she oversees the safe and sustainable operation of West Midlands Metro, guiding the organisation through both periods of growth and significant challenges.
A versatile and accomplished leader, Sophie is known for her calm, decisive approach in high-stakes environments. Her understanding of the transport industry and talent for navigating detail and developing people has made Sophie an influential voice across the sector.
Our final round-up of 2025 will be published on Friday, 19th December, to be included in the news or the Members section of the website, please send your press releases, event updates and career opportunities to chelsea.branch@uktram.co.uk