Booking now open for Coventry Very Light Rail demonstration runs

Now is your chance to grab the chance to be one of the first to experience the Coventry Very Light Rail demonstration line this May and June with free tickets now available online. There are only 11 dates available (or at least were available) when the vehicle will be offering rides and so if you want to book your place you are going to have to be quick!

The Coventry Very Light Rail demonstration line will be 220 metres long and goes between Greyfriars Road and Queen Victoria Road. It is currently under construction and as has been regularly mentioned by the project team – including Coventry City Council – features a unique, revolutionary track design which its hoped in the long-term will reduce costs for towns and cities wishing to have a tracked transport system.

In the publicity released ahead of the tickets being made available it states: “Coventry Very Light Rail is like a tram but better – thanks to the fact that its rails can be laid on ultra strong concrete in a fraction of the time and at a fraction of the cost to a conventional tram. Battery powered and with no overhead cables, CVLR will provide an alternative to the car, complementing existing public transport, and helping to improve air quality while reducing congestion.”

Although the Very Light Rail Vehicle (which is currently at the Dudley Very Light Rail Innovation Centre and will also be providing rides at their Family Fun Day on 17^th May) has capacity for 60 people, the demonstration journeys will only allow 17 people on board each trip (all seated) plus a space for wheelchair and pushchair users.

Included in the information are also various safety notices:

• Passengers must always remain seated
• Passengers must act responsibly and sensibly at all times
• Passengers must follow any safety warnings or instructions displayed  or given by a member of staff.
• No food or drink is allowed
• Only assistance dogs are allowed
• Wheelchairs, pushchairs, and mobility scooters must be in the designated bay. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters must also comply with RVAR 2010 legislation.

Journeys take place every half hour between 1000 and 1630 (with a break for lunch) on the following dates:

• 28^th to 31^st May
• 1^st June
• 4^th June
• 7^th and 8^th June
• 14^th and 15^th June
• 18^th June

Some journeys on some dates have already sold out so if you want to book your place you are advised to do so as soon as possible. This can be done on the Coventry City Council website at https://coventry.council.bookingbug.com/home/37062-Coventry-Very-Light-Rail with more details also available at https://www.coventry.gov.uk/coventry-light-rail/road-test