MOCK-UP TRAM DISPLAY DATES REVEALED
Edinburgh Tram Project – Sunday 22nd February 2009
As previously mentioned a mock-up of one of the trams which will operate on the Edinburgh Tram network has arrived in the city, and it has now been revealed when and where it will be displayed. The tram will be seen outside Jenners on Princes Street from Monday 23rd February until Saturday 14th March between 1100 and 1800 daily. This will be a great opportunity to see how the Edinburgh Trams will look inside and out, demonstrating the internal layout, seating, luggage space and driver’s cab.
Source: Edinburgh Tram Project
ANOTHER NEW SERVICE FOR DLR FROM 2ND MARCH
Docklands Light Railway – Sunday 22nd February 2009
Services on the Docklands Light Railway will be revised again from 2nd March in preparation for the re-opening of Tower Gateway, which has been undergoing rebuilding work in order to accommodate three car trains. As a result of this Woolwich Arsenal will now get an improved service and through services will resume from Beckton to Tower Gateway, with passengers no longer needing to change at Canning Town. This latest version of the timetable is still described as a “modified service” but it is planned to return to a full timetable in the spring. Details follow of the new service.
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LATEST METROLINK PERFORMANCE FIGURES RELEASED
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 22nd February 2009
The latest performance figures of Manchester Metrolink are now available on the GMITA website and were presented to the committee for approval on 20th February 2009. The report covers period 7 from Monday 13th October to Sunday 9th November 2008, period 8 from Monday 10th November to Sunday 7th December 2008 and period 9 from Monday 8th December 2008 to Sunday 4th January 2009. Read on for a summary of the report.
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RETAILERS URGE RETHINK OVER EDINBURGH FESTIVAL TRAM WORK EMBARGO
dinburgh Tram Project – Sunday 22nd February 2009
Some of the large retailers on Princes Street are urging the City of Edinburgh Council to rethink the plan to have an embargo on the tram construction work during August for the International Festival, as they are worried there could be an overrun into the crucial Christmas shopping season. This would mean that a long standing part of the Festival – a Cavalcade down Princes Street – would not be able to go-ahead with alternative routes not believed viable.
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NET EXTENSION TO HEANOR DISCUSSED
Nottingham Express Transit – Sunday 22nd February 2009
Talks have commenced over whether an extension of Nottingham Express Transit to Heanor would be possible. Cllr Richard Robinson from Broxtowe Borough Council, Nick Palmer MP for Broxtowe and local residents would like to see the current tram line to Phoenix Park extended to Heanor via Kimberley (as previously reported) and Eastwood. It is planned that a further meeting will be held with Nottinghamshire County Council in March.
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SWANSEA TRAM PLANS BACK ON THE AGENDA
Swansea – Sunday 22nd February 2009
Plans for trams to return to the streets of Swansea are seemingly back on the agenda of the City Council with councillors discussing the feasibility of a tram network. There is believed to be growing public support for a tram network linking Swansea with Llanelli and Port Talbot.
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MIDLAND METRO 05 UPDATE
Midland Metro – Sunday 22nd February 2009
The latest reliveried tram on the Midland Metro system - 05 - now appears to have received bogies and a pantograph. The tram has been inside the depot for the last couple of weeks but has been spotted outside the depot over the past weekend. The fleet number has yet to be applied and no adverts have been added.
Source: Michael Averill
MORE INFORMATION EVENTS FOR METROLINK EXTENSIONS
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 22nd February 2009
Further information events are to take place for the public to find out more about the forthcoming extensions to Manchester Metrolink – this time in South Manchester for the line to Chorlton. Two events are being held by the GMPTE and MPact-Thales.
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POLICE TARGET MOTORISTS DISOBEYING TRAM CROSSING TRAFFIC LIGHTS
London Tramlink – Sunday 22nd February 2009
British Transport Police and the Metropolitan Police have undertaken a joint operation to target motorists jumping red lights at various tram crossings on the Tramlink system in South London. The operation took place on Friday 13th February and followed a spate of incidents and near misses in recent months – indeed 13 incidents had reported in 2009 before the operation. Nine motorists received £30 fines, two received a £60 fine and three points whilst two cautions were issued for blocking the tramway.
Source: Croydon Guardian
SEATON TRAMWAY TO FEATURE ON INSIDE OUT ON 25TH FEBRUARY
Seaton Tramway – Sunday 22nd February 2009
In an apparent last minute change to the programming the Seaton Tramway did not feature on the local BBC show Inside Out on 18th February. It is now planned that the feature will be shown on Wednesday 25th February. This is a regional programme (each region of the BBC produces a different edition) and this one will be broadcast in the South West region. For those who have Sky Digital, and are outside the region, BBC One South West is available on channel 987. The programme will also be available online after broadcast (website here.)
Source: Seaton Tramway
MOANS OVER NET PHASE TWO ROAD MARKINGS
Nottingham Express Transit – Sunday 22nd February 2009
Moans have been expressed in Beeston over the appearance of markings on roads and pavements which are part of preliminary works for the proposed extension of Nottingham Express Transit – despite the fact government approval had yet to be given for Phase Two. The markings are in connection with the likely utility diversion work that will be needed when (if?) tram construction starts and have been added now to save time and money in the future.
Source: This is Nottingham
TRAMLINK PLAN TO LOAN TRAMS FROM COLOGNE?
London Tramlink – Sunday 15th February 2009
Plans have been “exclusively” revealed in the Croydon Advertiser that bosses at London Tramlink are looking at loading trams from Cologne in Germany to help ease overcrowding. However, the plan does hit a major snag as Cologne doesn’t currently have any spare trams!
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NEW ALL OVER AD FOR JUBILEE 762
Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway – Sunday 15th February 2009
Blackpool Jubilee 762 has returned to service in a new all over advert for ReBlackpool - the company in charge of the regeneration of the town. The tram has had vinyls applied on top of its previous paint scheme and the yellow is still visible beneath and around the Stuart L Pillar name stickers. The main base colour of the new advert is light green, and the tram features contravision. Follow the link for a photo.
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CRICH CLOSED FOR FEBRUARY HALF TERM AFTER HEAVY SNOW
Crich Tramway Village – Sunday 15th February 2009
The Crich Tramway Village – home of the National Tramway Museum – have announced that after the heavy snowfall that affected the majority of the UK they will not be opening for February half term as originally planned. The Museum site is still under significant snow and Crich will now re-open to the public at weekends in March before daily opening commences in April. It is estimated that the Museum will lose £27,000 because of this closure. A video report from BBC East Midlands Today is available here.
Source: Crich Tramway Village & BBC News Online
PLANS FOR ISLE OF MAN TRANSPORT MUSEUM BACK ON TRACK
Isle of Man – Sunday 15th February 2009
Isle of Man Chief Minister, Tony Brown, seems to have intervened in the saga of the Vintage Transport Museum which could see the plans back on track. Previously a £50,000 rent was to be charged on the site at Jurby to the Department of Tourism and Leisure from fellow government department – the Department of Local Government and the Environment – but this now looks to be reduced to a minimal rent.
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CENTRAL CROYDON TRAMLINK SERVICES SUSPENDED FOR TRACKWORK
London Tramlink – Sunday 15th February 2009
Between Sunday 15th and Friday 20th February services on Tramlink are suspended between Wandle Park and East Croydon for trackwork. A replacement bus service is operating from Ampere Way to East Croydon. Elmers End tramstop will also be closed between 1925 and 0700 each night throughout the same period.
Source: Transport for London
ISLE OF MAN TRANSPORT FESTIVAL 2009 DETAILS REVEALED
Isle of Man Transport Festival – Sunday 15th February 2009
The Isle of Man Transport Festival 2009 is to take place between Thursday 30th July and Wednesday 5th August and will incorporate all the unique transport systems on the island including the Manx Electric Railway. In recent years the event has become much shorter but this year a number of Manx transport enthusiasts are working with Isle of Man Transport to assist with the organisation.
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TRAMLINK CELEBRATES AS TRAMS REACH ONE MILLION KILOMETRES EACH
London Tramlink – Sunday 15th February 2009
Celebrations took place this week to mark London Tramlink’s trams each passing the one million kilometre mark. The 24 trams of the fleet carry an average of 26.5 million passengers each year and are currently undergoing an improvement programme. This is seeing each tram being deep cleaned and refurbished and includes the replacement of the original livery with the distinctive green, white and blue livery. It is planned this will be completed by April 2009.
Source: Transport for London
MANCHESTER METROLINK NEWS UPDATE
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 15th February 2009
A brief round-up of news on the trams of Manchester Metrolink including new larger fleet numbers on the dash panels and a revised livery for 1007.
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DROP IN TRAM SURGERIES HELD IN EDINBURGH
Edinburgh Tram Project – Sunday 15th February 2009
The Edinburgh Tram Project have held several drop-in surgeries in the past week where local people and businesses were able to find out more about the project and the construction work planned for the city centre. Project representatives attended the surgeries and were able to answer questions from the public and could also explain more about the work planned.
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DLR LAUNCHES LOCAL HISTORY GUIDE
Docklands Light Railway – Sunday 15th February 2009
The Docklands Light Railway have launched a local history guide aimed at schools, libraries and visitor attractions. It has been produced to mark the opening of the extension to Woolwich Arsenal and provides a snapshot of the changes and events that have shaped the areas in and round DLR stations. The guide records historic highlights, extraordinary events and fascinating facts including the thriving shipping industry of the 1800s, the economic decline of the 1970s and the financial boom at Canary Wharf in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Source: Docklands Light Railway
LET IT SNOW! UK HIT BY HEAVY SNOW AS TRAMLINK GRINDS TO A HALT
General – Sunday 8th February 2009
Much of the United Kingdom was hit by heavy snow in the week commencing Monday 2nd February. Snow fell on tram systems in Birmingham, Croydon, Manchester, Nottingham and Sheffield and for the majority services were not affected, however, in Croydon the story was different.
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BIRKENHEAD TRAMWAY’S FUTURE IN DOUBT?
Birkenhead Tramway – Sunday 8th February 2009
The heritage tramway at Birkenhead has been dealt a potentially devastating blow, with an announcement that Wirral Council have proposed to close the Taylor Street Transport Museum - home to the Merseyside Tramway Preservation Society's collection of vintage trams and other vehicles - along with various local libraries, leisure centres and other Council funded amenities.
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NEXT STAGE OF CITY CENTRE TRACKWORK TO START IN APRIL
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 8th February 2009
The second stage of the project to upgrade the tram track in Manchester City Centre is currently being planned and is being done so to put passengers’ needs first. The GMPTE is managing the project which will see all the City Centre track replaced to enable smoother and quieter journeys for all.
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MORE TRAMS FOR SUPERTRAM
South Yorkshire Supertram – Sunday 8th February 2009
Further details have been revealed about the extra trams transport bosses in South Yorkshire wish to see on the Supertram system. A bid for £14.3 million from the Government has been made and would see four new trams providing more frequent services and relieving overcrowding. It is hoped the trams would be operational in the next four years.
Source: Sheffield Star
BRUSH 636 STARTS TESTING IN BLACKPOOL
Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway – Sunday 8th February 2009
Blackpool Brush 636 has started testing on the section of tramway between Pleasure Beach and Starr Gate. The tram has been fitted with experimental wheel motors and a rebuilt bogie frame following a two year visit to Derby.
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COUNCILLOR TELLS BROWN: IT WOULD BE SHORT-SIGHTED NOT TO EXTEND NET
Nottingham Express Transit – Sunday 8th February 2009
The leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, Cllr David Kirkham, has told Prime Minister, Gordon Brown in case you were wondering, that a decision not to extend the Nottingham Express Transit system to Beeston and Clifton would be short-sighted.
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REFRESH PROGRAMME COMPLETED – NOW ITS TIME FOR STAGE TWO!
South Yorkshire Supertram – Sunday 8th February 2009
As previously reported the refresh programme on the South Yorkshire Supertram fleet has been completed, with all 25 trams now back in service in the revised state. Work is now due to begin shortly on a secondary refresh programme which will comprise of a complete undercarriage overhaul. Further details are to provided on this at a later date.
Source: South Yorkshire Supertram
TRAVELCARD PRICES SLASHED FOR FEBRUARY & MARCH
Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway – Sunday 8th February 2009
For a limited period the price of One Day Travelcards across the Metro Coastlines network (including the Blackpool and Fleetwood Tramway) are to be cut by a third, as long as they are purchased from the driver on either the tram or the bus. From Saturday 7th February until Tuesday 31st March all One Day Travelcards will be available for £3.80 (normal price £5.95 for adults and £5.45 for concessions).
Source: Blackpool Transport
BLACK COUNTRY LIVING MUSEUM ON LOOK OUT FOR TRAM DRIVERS
Black Country Living Museum – Sunday 8th February 2009
The Black Country Living Museum near Dudley in the West Midlands have launched a drive to get some more tram drivers for their short operational line between the Museum entrance and main town setting. Several positions (not only tram driving) are available at the Museum and are offered on a casual, part-time basis. The closing date for applications is 2nd March and an application pack is available either by calling 0121 557 9643 or on their website here. A video report is available (including shots of a tram in the snow) at the Wolverhampton Express and Star link below.
Source: Wolverhampton Express & Star
SEATON TRAMWAY TO FEATURE ON BBC ONE
Seaton Tramway – Sunday 8th February 2009
The Seaton Tranway is to feature on the BBC One programme Inside Out on Wednesday 18th February. This is a regional programme (each region of the BBC produces a different edition) and this one will be broadcast in the South West region. For those who have Sky Digital, and are outside the region, BBC One South West is available on channel 987. The programme will also be available online after broadcast (website here.)
Source: Seaton Tramway
FIND OUT ABOUT METROLINK TO DROYLSDEN
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 8th February 2009
A series of special information events are to be held in February to help people to find out more about the project to extend the Manchester Metrolink system to Droylsden. The exhibitions are being held jointly by the GMPTE and MPact-Thales throughout East Manchester and Droylsden.
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TRAMS DELAYED AFTER CAR COLLISION
Nottingham Express Transit – Sunday 8th February 2009
Services on Nottingham Express Transit were disrupted in the early evening of Sunday 1st February after a collision between a car and a tram. The incident happened at around 1730 in Waverley Street near to the High School. Trams resumed operation once the car had been removed from the scene.
Source: This is Nottingham
ANOTHER FIRM GAINS RATES REDUCTION IN EDINBURGH
Trams for Edinburgh – Sunday 8th February 2009
Another firm has gained a rates reduction in Shandwick Place, Edinburgh, but this time it is not a retail outlet. Previously the Lothian Valuation Board Assessor had said only retail properties should benefit from any cuts but after appeal GVA Grimley (a propery advisor) has won a 5% cut. An appeal is now to be made against this decision by the Lothian Valuation Board Assessor.
Source: BBC News Online
GMPTA BECOMES GMITA FROM MONDAY 9TH FEBRUARY
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 8th February 2009