UKTram shares expertise at global light rail committee meeting in Bergen

UKTram recently joined light rail professionals from across the world at the 82nd UITP Light Rail Committee Meeting, held in Bergen, Norway, between the 15th and 17th of June 2026. Hosted by Bybanen Bergen Light Rail, the three-day event welcomed 39 representatives from light rail organisations across Europe, Asia and South America, providing an opportunity to share expertise and discuss challenges and opportunities facing the global light rail community.

UKTram was represented by Operations Manager Steve Duckering and Simon Coulthard UKTram Board Member and Head of Light Rail at Network Rail, attending as both delegates and active participants in committee workstreams, contributing to discussions to help inform and support the UK light rail sector.

Founded in 1885, UITP is the international association for public transport and today brings together more than 2,000 members from over 100 countries, including operators, authorities, suppliers and academic institutions. The Light Rail Committee plays a key role in sharing best practice and exploring the direction of the sector.

The programme addressed topics such as lean management, automated and autonomous train operation, rolling stock and vehicle maintenance, urban metro development and statistics. Updates on R2Dato – Rail to Digital, an initiative focused on the transition from automated to autonomous train operation, were also provided, along with discussions on safety, performance and emerging technologies.

In addition to formal sessions, delegates received an in-depth overview of the Bybanen network and its development strategy. Bybanen, recognised as one of Europe’s leading light rail systems, illustrates how transport infrastructure can be integrated into urban environments to support sustainable growth and enhance public spaces.

Delegates toured the network and gained insight into the design, engineering and long-term planning behind its success.

Another area of interest was how different systems are adapting to increasingly challenging weather conditions. The Bybanen team showcased the development of a new app designed to predict when ‘ghost trams’ – vehicles operating without passengers to maintain network resilience – may be required during adverse weather. UKTram hopes to explore this technology further and share lessons learned with members in the future.

Presentations from Madrid and Warsaw addressed lessons from major snowfall events and the challenges of snow clearance and service reliability. Delegates discussed emergency response planning and managing large volumes of snow from tram corridors. Discussions reinforced that, while each city faces unique challenges, many solutions can be adapted and shared across networks.

Collaboration also emerged as a key theme throughout the event. Delegates highlighted the importance of working closely with neighbouring transport modes and city partners, with one practical takeaway standing out: when clearing snow from roads, avoid pushing it onto tram tracks.

Reflecting on the visit, Steve Duckering, Operations Manager at UKTram, said:

"The opportunity to sit at the heart of these discussions and learn from networks across the world is always beneficial. The willingness to openly share experiences is something that really stands out within the global light rail community This might be digital innovation in Bergen, lessons from extreme weather in Madrid and Warsaw or new approaches to operations and maintenance, there’s always something we can bring back and share with colleagues across the UK."

UKTram remains committed to engaging with international partners and bringing global best practice back to the UK and Ireland, helping members stay connected to the latest thinking and opportunities within the sector.