Weekly Light Rail News | Contactless travel, train tattoos & UK-first approach to keeping travelling public safe | Saturday 18th October 2025
- UKTram
- Oct 17
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 18
In this week’s light rail news round-up: Metro steps towards contactless travel with smart validators, Supertram network investment planned over October half-term , while Blackpool Transport has just the ticket for half-term days out. Learn more about the UK-first approach to keeping travelling public safe in Greater Manchester, a train tattoo honouring the historic Metro fleet and the newly appointed Chair for the LRSSB Heads of Safety Group.
West Midlands Metro is rolling out a new ticketing system across the network to make paying for tickets to travel on the tram faster, easier, and more convenient for passengers.
Validator poles are now being installed at tram stops across the network, which will soon support a new contactless ticketing system enabling customers to simply ‘Tap in’ and ‘Tap out’ to pay for their journey using a contactless bank card, travel pass or smart device.
The new ticket validators are due to be switched on in the New Year; this major upgrade is set to bring wide-ranging benefits for customers, while promoting fairness across the network. Supertram network investment planned over October half-term >>
South Yorkshire’s Supertram network is set to benefit from further investment this October half-term, as essential rail replacement works take place to improve reliability and future-proof the system for years to come.
The works mark the final phase of a major programme of investment delivered this year, as part of South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority’s (SYMCA) commitment to invest over £110m by 2027. This includes upgrades to the trams, track, control systems and power supplies alongside the construction of a new Tram Train station at Magna.
The next stage of works will begin on Infirmary Road from Sunday, 26 October to Friday, 31 October and partially affect Blue and Yellow route tram services.
For families looking for a fun day out during the half-term, Blackpool has plenty to offer, and Blackpool Transport is gearing up to help them make the most of the area’s sights and attractions during the school holidays.
Offering unbeatable value, the operator’s family ticket offers are just the ticket for exploring the town’s spectacular illuminations and the Lightpool Festival, which is also taking place over the next couple of weeks.
A range of discounted group tickets, which can be purchased via Blackpool Transport’s app, start at just £10 for two people, with options for a range of group sizes.
Students in Nottingham have just two weeks to secure a limited deal on unlimited tram travel, as Nottingham Express Transit (NET) reveals that more than 4,500 people aged between 16 and 21 years old were fined for travelling without a valid ticket in the last academic year.
NET maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards fare evasion, meaning that anyone caught travelling without a valid ticket or pass will receive a ‘no questions asked’ Penalty Fare Notice (PFN).
A PFN can lead to the recipient being liable for prosecution if left unpaid, along with a possible further fine and a criminal record next to their name.
Greater Manchester is pioneering a new, first-of-its-kind approach to keeping the travelling public safe. A new and improved 24/7 TravelSafe LiveChat service – allowing passengers and staff to discreetly report criminal or antisocial behaviour on public transport – has been launched today (Thursday 16 October).
It’s part of ongoing efforts to keep people safe on the Bee Network, with an all-new model bringing Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) together to deliver a more effective response to issues across the network.
A tattoo enthusiast has paid a uniquely personal tribute to the Tyne and Wear Metro - by getting one of its trains inked on the back of his leg. Simon Dowling, of High Heaton in Newcastle, has had the Metro train tattooed across his calf as a forever reminder of the historic fleet.
The 38-year-old, who has 29 other tattoos over his arms, legs and torso, said his latest piece of body art was a homage to the old trains before they are phased out, and that he was proud to get it done.
George’s Dock Bridge Works in Dublin >>
Following the fire in the George’s Dock area on Tuesday, 19 August, Luas continues reconstruction works on the George’s Dock Bridge.
In a comprehensive update on its website, Luas reports that the works are progressing well. Crews on site are now moving into the next phase, which includes beam lifting, steel fixing, and concrete pouring over the coming days. Some late evening and weekend activity will also take place to ensure key project milestones are achieved and it has thanked residents for their patience and understanding.
Don McClurg, Head of Safety and Standards at Edinburgh Trams, has been appointed the new Chair of a working group led by the organisation responsible for reducing the risk of accidents on UK tramways.
The former Vice-Chairman of the LRSSB’s Heads of Safety Group follows in the footsteps of Andy Wallace, who has stepped down from the role following his move from Tram Operations Limited.
A former Combat Medical Technician in the army, Don joined Edinburgh Trams in 2013 where he has previously worked as a duty manager, assistant safety manager and safety manager.
The latest meeting of the UKTram Centre of Excellence has highlighted the importance of closer collaboration with the British Standards Institution (BSI) to ensure the light rail and urban transit sectors remain well represented in the development of industry standards.
Representatives from BSI included Sarah O’Neil-Shaw, Philippa Younas and Aymee Siddons. The team provided an overview of standardisation processes, technical committees, opportunities for greater engagement and the importance of consensus and confidentiality.
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British Trams Online reports that Chris Thornburn has been passionate about preserving tramway heritage for the best part of 70 years, and, in his tenth decade, he’s written what appears to be a unique and irreplaceable contribution to British tramway literature - his forthcoming book “On Top o’ t’ Job”.
British transport literature is rich in tramway histories, but authentic first-person operational accounts by tram workers are rare. As far as Chris knows, only four books have been written by the platform staff who actually operated Britain’s tramway systems.
The next round-up will be published on Friday, 2th October, 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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