Following a trial earlier this year and a survey which saw 75% of people in favour, the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) have confirmed that dogs will be permanently allowed on Supertram services.
Before the trial began in March, the only dogs allowed on board the trams were assistance dogs or dogs in carry cases. But the trial has been deemed a success and now one well-behaved dog per passenger will be allowed to travel on Supertram.
The trial saw strong public support with over 10,600 people responding to a public consultation. 75% of those were in favour of changing the rules. During the trial over 6,000 dogs have travelled on Supertram.
Oliver Coppard, South Yorkshire’s Mayor, said: “Fixing public transport in South Yorkshire means making it work for all of us, and that includes our four-legged friends.
“More than 10,000 people have told us: allowing dogs on trams makes our network more inclusive and accessible.
“We’re building a public transport system that reflects the needs of the people who use it every day. Whether you’re commuting, exploring, or simply heading out with your dog, Supertram will get you there.”
Sean English, Managing Director at Supertram, said: “We’re delighted to welcome dogs onboard our trams permanently, following the strong public support we saw during the trial. This change reflects our commitment to making Supertram more accessible and responsive to the needs of our passengers.
“Throughout the trial, we worked hard to ensure the safety and wellbeing of both our customers and colleagues, and we’ll continue to monitor and manage the service to maintain a positive experience for everyone. It’s a great example of how listening to our passengers helps us shape a better, more inclusive transport network.
“I’d also like to thank our Supertram colleagues for their hard work and dedication throughout the trial period, their efforts were instrumental in making it a success.”
This is just one part of the SYMCA’s plans for improving the Supertram network. This has included the investment of £15 million over the next two years to tackle issues caused by dealing with trams which are now over 30 years old. They are also looking at a fleet replacement programme which could see new trams in service by 2032, subject to funding from the government.
A couple of years ago there was a survey conducted where one of the questions asked if Sheffield needed a new tram fleet. The answer they received was a resounding NO. The original idea of Supertram (and the massive disruption the building of it caused to Britain’s fourth largest city over many years) was sold to the people on the premise that trams last far longer than buses. Blackpool being used as an example with it’s 60 year old vehicles at the time.
So the Siemens trams in Sheffield should now be about half way through their original planned lifespan. Replacement is totally unnecessary and there should be no government funding. Public transport should stand on it’s own two feet like every other business and any upgrades or replacements should be paid for out of the company profits, not by the tax payer.
Having conductors who actually bother to take all the fares might be a good start!
Modern Trams have a rough lifespan of 30 to 40 years so they are a decade form renewal. Equipment also ages and spares become more scarce/expensive. We also need to remember that they are not 100% low floor as all the others are, which will affect them eventually.