The reliability and punctuality on Nottingham Express Transit fell to its lowest levels for at least a year over the summer as a number of challenges led to issues with service performance. The high temperatures experienced plus supply chain issues are both blamed for the reduction in performance across the network.
The figures have been revealed in the latest NET Operational Performance and Progress Update which is due to be reported at the next Greater Nottingham Light Rail Transit Authority meeting later this month. In the four months between June and September 2022 reliability was still at a respectable 93.1% and punctuality at 88.5%. In comparison the previous four months (February-May) were at 96.1%/93.9%, the four months before that were 92.3%/90.4% and the four months before that at 94.4%/93.3%.
In discussing the figures the report says: “This has been a challenging period due to the unprecedentedly high temperatures in July which had an impact on the performance of all rail-based transport operators. Various temporary speed restrictions were introduced across the tram network to ensure that the system continued to operate safely during and following thisperiod which had an impact on service performance. Further to this there have been issues with tram availability, which were impacted by supply chain issues. This created a backlog of maintenance work and a temporary reduced timetable was operated from 22nd to the 26th August that enabled a regular and reliable service to be maintained for customers. Tram availability has returned to more regular levels during September.”
The report also gives more details on the derailment at Highbury Vale on 30th September. This saw Citadis 219 derailed over points HVP3 at 0715. It was running in service but there were no passengers on board and no injuries reported as a result. Whilst the derailment was dealt with a shuttle service ran from Toton Lane/Clifton South to Wilkinson Street and from Phoenix Park to Highbury Vale and from Hucknall to David Lane – both of the northern shuttles operated under degraded mode procedures. The tram was recovered to depot in the afternoon and repairs could then be undertaken. Full services resumed on the mainline from 1930 but further testing of the repaired points meant that a through service to Phoenix Park was unable to run again until the following morning. The RAIB investigated the incident and have decided it only warrants a Safety Digest which will be released in the coming weeks.
In other news from NET, the first tram to be fitted with a new system that constantly monitors tram speed and automatically intervenes in an emergency has entered service. There has been extensive testing by the operator, Alstom and Efacec on the equipment and now all 37 trams in the fleet will be fitted with it over the next 18 months. The device constantly monitors the speed in relation to speed limits on the section of the network it is operating and alerts drivers both visually and audibly if the tram is operating outside acceptable parameters. The tram simulator has also been upgraded to match.