Weekly Light Rail News | New talent and network developments | 11th September 2026
In the UK and Ireland light rail news round-up this week: Next phase of Edinburgh tram expansion agreed, NET opens recruitment for new light rail talent and new DLR trains return to service. The first Mass Transit Taskforce roundtable takes place in Cardiff, Tyne and Wear Metro replica supports rail safety education and West Midlands Metro prepares to deploy revenue officers. Plus, latest LRSSB podcast explores pedestrian safety. Heritage highlights this week include the National Tramway Museum’s upcoming Tram Weekend and plans for Blackpool’s heritage trams to appear at the Lightpool Festival.
Edinburgh councillors have approved the Strategic Business Case for a proposed tram route linking Granton with the Edinburgh BioQuarter. The southern section is the immediate priority, while further work will examine a future connection between Granton and the city centre.
Proposals will be considered alongside the SEStransit regional transport study and an ongoing feasibility study into restoring passenger services on the South Suburban Railway. Work with the National Wealth Fund on financing options also continues.
Nottingham Express Transit will host a recruitment open day at The Forest on Tuesday 15th September, giving local people an opportunity to explore careers across the tram network.
Employees will offer first-hand insight into operational and engineering roles, as well as other opportunities that support daily services. NET aims to show the different routes into light rail, including positions that require no previous industry experience.
KeolisAmey Metrolink held its third Meet the Manager event of the year on Saturday 5th September, giving passengers an opportunity to speak directly with managers from across the business.
The event helped the operator gather first-hand feedback about customers’ experiences and identify areas where services could improve. Informal activities created a welcoming setting for conversations between passengers and the team. A further Meet the Manager session is planned at St Peter’s Square in December.
Transport for London’s new DLR trains have returned to passenger service and will be introduced gradually across the network. The fleet is expected to support improved service frequency and reliability as more vehicles enter operation.
Passengers will benefit from spacious walk-through interiors, air conditioning and improved accessibility. The trains also feature live travel information, charging points and enhanced door technology, providing a more modern experience across the light rail system.
A new Student Tram 7 Day ticket is now available across the Supertram network, offering students another option for unlimited tram travel throughout the week. Students can buy it from conductors onboard or through the TSY Mobile app.
App users need a Student account to access the fare, while existing customers can contact Traveline to change their account type. Young people aged 18 to 21 may also be eligible for a free Zoom Beyond pass, providing discounted travel across South Yorkshire.
A life-sized replica of the new Tyne and Wear Metro train has been installed at SafetyWorks! in Newcastle, where it will support rail safety education for around 5,000 schoolchildren each year.
Originally supplied by Stadler to familiarise drivers with the new fleet, the cab mock-up now forms part of an interactive Metro station environment. It will help Nexus teach young people about the risks of trespassing and high-voltage overhead lines through realistic, hands-on learning.
West Midlands Metro will deploy Revenue Officers across the network from Monday 14th September as its Buy Before You Board ticketing system takes effect. Passengers must hold a valid ticket or pass before entering a tram, with a £100 penalty fare possible for those travelling without one.
The change completes the withdrawal of conductors from services. Most of the new Revenue Officers are former conductors who have received additional training and will help passengers understand the new arrangements.
Transport for Greater Manchester is seeking public feedback on the next stage of Bury Interchange’s redevelopment. Proposals include a new transport hub, upgraded Metrolink platforms and improved public spaces, with residential apartments also under consideration.
The first phase is due to begin this autumn, delivering a new footbridge and improvements to the existing tram platform. Feedback will inform the second phase before a formal consultation takes place this winter.
Tram drivers from London Trams and Edinburgh Trams will represent the UK at the 12th European Tramdriver Championship, which takes place in Warsaw later this month.
The Tram-EM European Tramdriver Championship will be held on Saturday, September 19th, with 26 teams from cities across Europe and beyond competing on the newly modernised Marszałkowska Street, in front of Warsaw’s Palace of Culture and Science.
The Government’s first Mass Transit Taskforce roundtable took place in Cardiff this week following the recent call for evidence, to which UKTram submitted a comprehensive response and will gather further insight to help inform the Taskforce’s work to improve the delivery of mass transit schemes across the UK.
UKTram will be represented during the next stage of the Taskforce’s work. Simon Coulthard, Head of Light Rail at Network Rail and UKTram Board member, attended the first roundtable and further UKTram involvement is planned.
KeolisAmey Luas is recruiting for six positions within its fleet maintenance team in Dublin. Vacancies include a Maintenance Team Manager at Red Cow Depot and five Multiskilled Technician roles.
Successful candidates will support the reliability and performance of the Luas fleet in a busy rail maintenance environment. Applications for the technician positions can be submitted online, while further details about the management role are available from the depot team.
Heritage Highlights
The National Tramway Museum will hold its largest annual celebration on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th September, with an extended line-up of historic trams operating at Crich Tramway Village.
The weekend will also include the launch of Blackpool 645 as the museum’s new Access Tram following its extensive conversion. Visitors can explore the recreated period street and museum collections, with a full operating timetable published online ahead of the event.
As reported by British Trams Online, Heaton Park Tramway’s recent celebration of 125 years of electric trams in Stockport placed the town’s sole surviving tramcar, No. 5, at the centre of a special open day.
The tram was displayed alongside historic buses, including a vehicle introduced when Stockport’s final routes closed in 1951. Heritage bus tours also followed former tram routes. Work on the tramway’s replacement electrical substation is progressing, although a reopening date has yet to be confirmed.
Blackpool Transport aims to display its Western Train and Rocket trams during October’s Lightpool Festival, giving visitors an opportunity to view two distinctive vehicles from the town’s heritage fleet. Volunteers and local transport groups are supporting restoration and upgrade work.
Plans are also progressing to refurbish the original tram shed at Rigby Road as a permanent home for the collection. Extensive repairs are still needed before operational heritage trams can safely return to passenger service, while Blackpool Transport seeks a temporary exhibition space and potential sponsors.
UKTram and LRSSB Updates
The latest Let’s Talk Light Rail podcast examines how the ‘Two Lines = STOP’ campaign has influenced pedestrian behaviour in Edinburgh and Nottingham, contributing to fewer reported incidents on both tram networks.
UKTram is delighted to welcome AtkinsRéalis to its growing member network. With expertise spanning the full lifecycle of light rail projects, the organisation brings extensive experience in engineering, systems integration and project delivery.
Turku Tramway highlights role of carbon assessment in light rail development >>
This week UKTram attended an international webinar in which the Turku Tramway in Finland and a new method of evaluating its environmental impact were discussed. From vote to tracks – the webinar on the development of Turku’s Tramway was held online on 7th September and provided an insightful update on the project.
With less than a week to go, final preparations are underway if you have secured a place but can no longer attend, please email danielhill@uktram.co.uk as soon as possible so we can offer your places secured a place but is no longer able to attend is encouraged to email danielhill@uktram.co.uk as soon as possible so their place can be offered to someone on the waiting list.
The next round-up will be published on Friday, 18th September. If you are a UKTram Member and you'd like to be included in the round-up shared on the website, socials and our exclusive Members' hub, please send your press releases, event updates and career opportunities to chelsea.branch@uktram.co.uk
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