UKTram pledge continued commitment to members in 2025

The Managing Director of UK Tram, the organisation that represents tram and light rail operators across the country, has outlined their key priorities for 2025 in a new year message. James Hammett says they aim to drive sector growth and promote sustainability as they continue to support their members.

In the message he also highlighted opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for the sector.

He said: “As we welcome the new year, we’re filled with optimism and excitement for what’s ahead. In 2024, we’ve seen most networks enjoy sustained patronage growth, and it’s vital we don’t miss the opportunity to capitalise on the renewed enthusiasm for the nation’s most popular form of public transport.

“The year ahead also presents incredible opportunities to shape the future of light rail, with several major projects nearing completion and proposals for other mass transit systems taking shape.

“There will also be significant challenges to overcome, and as existing second-generation networks mature, we will step up our support for owners and operators as they plan renewal programmes for both rolling stock and infrastructure. This will see an even more vital role for our functional working groups that have already proved invaluable when it comes to sharing best practice and pooling expertise to identify solutions to the challenges they face.

“At the same time, our Centre of Excellence will continue to provide proposers of new light rail projects with the advice and support they need to develop their plans. They will also be forging even closer links with academics and other experts to explore the potential of new technology to help remove some of the barriers to the expansion of light rail in the UK.

“Over the past 12 months, we have seen a change of government, and the new administration’s commitment to greater devolution also presents significant opportunities for the sector. In 2025, we plan to further intensify our efforts to lobby decision-makers at both regional and national levels, maintaining our strong relationships with the Department for Transport, Office for Rail and Road, mayoral authorities and local governments to ensure that investment in sustainable transport is pushed further up the political agenda.

“We will, of course, continue to work closely with partners such as the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board and colleagues from transport-related organisations in the UK and overseas to enhance sector on a wide range of issues, from reducing the risks of accidents to improving urban connectivity.

“Whatever the year ahead has in store, our members can count on the UKTram team’s unwavering dedication to promoting their interests as we set to work developing a new strategic plan as UKTram continues to evolve in line with the needs of the sector.

“Further details of the plan will be revealed in due course, but in the meantime, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our members, suppliers and colleagues from across the sector a happy and prosperous New Year!”

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