Tramways and light rail systems from across the world will be waiting with anticipation for Wednesday 6th October when the results are announced on the Global Light Rail Awards at a glitzy ceremony in London. The shortlist has now been announced with many UK systems in the running for the much sought after awards.
Three UK systems are up for the Operator of the Year category with KeolisAmey Docklands, KeolisAmey Metrolink and Midland Metro Limited up against Metro de Sevilla this year. Its not clear what the judges are looking for when shortlisting systems as we’re sure that many who travel on the West Midlands Metro may not quite be in agreement in this shortlisting!
The Most Improved System has a further two UK systems up for recognition with the Blackpool Tramway (despite running a reduced service for much of the past 12 months) and West Midlands Metro (despite the regular overhead problems leading to service suspensions) nominated alongside Doha Metro and Tranvia de Zaragova.
There are plenty of other nominations from across the UK with the Birmingham Westside extension up in a couple of categories and the Birmingham Eastside extension in another! In fact West Midlands Metro and Midland Metro Alliance are nominated in 10 of the 16 categories, including one category where they go against each other (Rising Star of the Year).
The Manufacturer of the Year category, meanwhile, will be fought out between CAF, Stadler and TIG/m.
- You can view the full shortlist at http://mainspring.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/GLRA21-Shortlist-1.pdf