Weekly Light Rail News | Project milestones and sector success | 16th October 2026
In the weekly light rail news round-up: The sector continues to celebrate recognition at the Global Light Rail Awards, with Coventry Very Light Rail, Colas Rail UK, and Coventry City Council also securing a national infrastructure accolade. Plus, metro driver completes six endurance challenges for mental health charity, Bee Network supports travel, culture and passenger wellbeing and Glasgow Subway records three million contactless journeys. Heritage highlights this week: London Transport Museum patrons visit National Tramway Museum and Blackpool 159 returns to service after overhaul.
Sector succcess:
Coventry Very Light Rail wins Innovation Impact Award
Coventry Very Light Rail (CVLR) has been recognised at the British Construction & Infrastructure Awards, with Colas Rail and Coventry City Council jointly winning the Innovation Impact Award for their work on the project.
The awards, organised by New Civil Engineer and the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), recognise excellence in infrastructure delivery and projects that demonstrate positive outcomes for society
London Trams named UK Operator of the Year
London Trams was named UK Operator of the Year at the 2026 Global Light Rail Awards, held at Battersea Arts Centre on 7th October.
Mark Davis, General Manager of London Trams, credited colleagues across Transport for London and Tram Operations Limited with the achievement.
The award adds London Trams to the operators and individuals recognised across the UK light rail sector during this year’s ceremony
Blackpool family tram ticket receives industry recognition
Blackpool Transport’s Family Saver Ticket received a Highly Commended accolade in the Best Customer Initiative category at the Global Light Rail Awards on 7th October. First introduced as a seasonal offer for Christmas events, the ticket encouraged hundreds of families to use public transport during the festive period.
Blackpool Transport was also shortlisted for Team of the Year, while Duty Manager Bradley Jones was a finalist in the Rising Star category.
Keolis businesses recognised at Global Light Rail Awards
Keolis Group companies secured five awards and four Highly Commended accolades at the 2026 Global Light Rail Awards. KeolisAmey Docklands received Major Project of the Year, while Janete Gava of Nottingham Trams was named Rising Star.
KeolisAmey Metrolink was Highly Commended for Best Customer Initiative and Technical Innovation of the Year. International recognition included Worldwide Operator of the Year for Qatar Rail Company, alongside two awards for Keolis-MHI projects.
Supertram secures two Global Light Rail Awards
Supertram received two awards and a Highly Commended recognition at the 2026 Global Light Rail Awards. Surveying Coordinator Alex Wray was named Rising Star, reflecting his progression from apprentice to a key role within the engineering team.
The operator also won Best Customer Initiative for its face-to-face support for passengers during disruption. Its use of technology to improve planning and support colleagues earned a Highly Commended rating in the Most Improved System category.
West Midlands Metro colleagues honoured at Global Light Rail Awards
West Midlands Metro Managing Director Sophie Allison received the Geoffrey Claydon Judges’ Special Award at the Global Light Rail Awards on 7th October, recognising her leadership and commitment to colleagues and passengers.
Revenue Supervisor Matthew Brittain was named Employee of the Year for his work supporting the introduction of Buy Before You Board. West Midlands Metro was also Highly Commended in the UK Operator of the Year category.
The latest in Light Rail:
Bee Network supports travel, culture and passenger wellbeing
Bee Network passengers are being advised to plan ahead as 4km of Metrolink track is replaced between Trafford Bar and Deansgate-Castlefield between 19th October and 1st November. Several lines will close or operate differently, with shuttle buses and ticket acceptance available during the £150 million improvement programme.
Elsewhere, thousands of free books were placed aboard trams for the Take 10 to Read campaign around World Mental Health Day. TfGM also helped launch the Beat Network map, showing how passengers can reach more than 50 grassroots music venues by bus and tram.
Eastside Metro extension reaches HS2 Curzon Street site
Work on the Birmingham Eastside Metro extension has reached the HS2 Curzon Street Station site. The Midland Metro Alliance has taken possession of the first parcel of land, allowing preparations for track laying beyond the temporary Millennium Point terminus to begin.
A second land handover is planned for 2027, covering the section where trams will pass beneath the new station. Passenger services to Digbeth Coach Station are expected to begin in 2028.
Metro driver completes six endurance challenges for mental health charity
Tyne and Wear Metro driver John Loraine completed six endurance challenges covering 170 miles to raise funds for Climbing Out, a charity that supported him during a difficult period with his mental health. His fundraising total has reached almost £2,000.
The former Northumbria Police officer took part in events including a 76-mile Isle of Arran expedition and the 50-mile Long Mynd Hike. John said the challenge had also encouraged other people to speak openly about their mental health and share their own experiences.
Final days for discounted NET student tram pass
Students in Nottingham have until Sunday 18th October to buy Nottingham Express Transit’s Student Academic Year tram ticket for £315, saving £50. The pass offers unlimited tram travel throughout the academic year, costing about 94p per day.
Introduced as an eight-week offer for new and returning college and university students, the ticket aims to make everyday travel more affordable as living costs increase. NET said the annual pass also lets students budget for transport in advance while travelling the city.
Glasgow Subway records three million contactless journeys
More than three million journeys have now been made using contactless payment on the Glasgow Subway. Strathclyde Partnership for Transport thanked passengers for adopting the payment option since it was introduced.
Contactless technology lets customers pay for their journey by tapping a bank card or compatible device, reducing the need to buy a ticket before travelling. SPT said the milestone represents further progress towards making Subway journeys more convenient and accessible for passengers.
Public views sought on South Wales Metro extension
Transport for Wales and Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council have launched public engagement on proposals to extend passenger services along the unused railway corridor between Aberdare and Hirwaun. Options include new stations at Llwydcoed and Hirwaun.
The scheme forms part of potential future expansion of the South Wales Metro and could improve connections with Pontypridd and Cardiff. Feedback will inform further design work and development of the business case, with engagement open until 22nd November.
Luas Red Line passengers advised of weekend closure
Luas Red Line services between Heuston and Tallaght or Saggart will be suspended tthis weekend while Transport Infrastructure Ireland carries out essential engineering works. Trams will continue to operate between Heuston and The Point.
Replacement buses will serve the affected section in both directions approximately every 15 minutes. Passengers will require a valid ticket, TFI Leap Card or Public Services Card with Free Travel. Services are expected to resume on Monday 19th October.
Heritage Highlights
London Transport Museum patrons visit National Tramway Museum
Patrons of London Transport Museum recently visited the National Tramway Museum at Crich as part of an overnight visit to Derby. The programme also included a tour of Alstom’s Litchurch Lane manufacturing site, offering guests an insight into the area’s railway heritage and present-day industry.
Graham Bennett, Chief Executive of the National Tramway Museum, said collaboration between museums, charities, businesses and government supports the museum’s contribution to the visitor economy.
‘Murder on the Volk’s’ returns to Brighton’s historic railway
An immersive murder mystery returns to Volk’s Electric Railway between 21st and 24th October after a sold-out run in 2025. Set during a 1937 wedding reception, the refreshed production explores a dramatic period in Brighton’s history and was co-written with a current Volk’s Railway driver.
Presented by Touched Theatre at Aquarium Station, each evening will include a two-course supper and a night-time journey on the heritage railway. Performances will run between 7pm and approximately 9.30 pm.
Blackpool 159 returns to service after overhaul
British Trams Online reports that Blackpool Standard car 159 has returned to passenger service at the East Anglia Transport Museum following a full overhaul and repaint. The tram re-entered service during the museum’s Festival of Transport on 26th September.
Built in Blackpool Corporation Transport’s workshops, car 159 entered service in June 1927 and will celebrate its centenary next year. It last ran in Blackpool in October 1966 before moving to Carlton Colville, where it became the first tram to operate under its own power in 1970.
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