Nottingham Express Transit have made an announcement that they will be making an announcement on Monday 24th August as to when the Phase Two extensions of Nottingham Express Transit will be opening to the public with the date now very very close – to the delight of many of those in the local area who are looking forward to an efficient and modern transport network in their vicinity.
We will leave it to Cllr Jane Urquhart, who has lead responsibility for NET on Nottingham City Council, to explain more: “The final stages of timetable trials have been going extremely well and, as a result, we are only a matter of days from being able to confirm an opening date. We are intending to make a further announcement on Monday. The timetable tests are an essential part of the commissioning programme. We need to ensure we are able to operate a wholly reliable service and, once this stage is passed, we can open the network up to passenger services. It’s the start of an exciting future for the network and we want as many people as possible to see the advantages a frequent and reliable cross-city transport service will bring.”
Full timetable testing has been ongoing for several weeks and to try and speed the process up a full Monday to Friday service has operated over the past couple of weekends (albeit only on the Sunday the first week). This timetable testing – or shadow running as it is more popularly known – is needed to make sure that the proposed timetables work in practice and although there were some teething problems with this the last week or so has gone more or less smoothly which will allow NET to open to the public soon.
To celebrate the opening there will be a special ticket offer with a “try the network” ticket available. This will allow the purchaser to enjoy one week’s unlimited travel for just £10.
So before too long all those trams you might have seen gliding past Nottingham Railway Station saying they were going to Toton or Clifton will be doing just that with fare paying passengers on board. And from then on hopefully the line will be the success we all know it can be and the naysayers will be silenced… (I know its unlikely but we can but hope!)
Perhaps those who live in houses fronting the tramway could be given free passes. One could regard such as either compensation for alleged loss of amenity or as an incentive to buy such houses if they are put on the market by tram-haters. It wouldn’t cost the operator much.
the opening of these two new tram lines is great news for the people of nottinghamshire.
i hope the trams get more folk out of their cars and use the trams.
enjoy.
Live tomorrow morning just after 6. Day out for me as only 2 miles from Phoenix Park Terminus .Breakfast at Station Cafe , Toton Lane