The South Yorkshire PTE have not written off hopes of expanding the Supertram network despite the fact the government have given no indication of funding any of their proposed lines, even going so far as rejecting funding to get to Rotherham. A new Draft Tram Strategy has been published by the PTE this week with the public invited for their views.
The Draft Tram Strategy 2008-2021 says that not only could extensions be built on Supertram but also that extra trams could be added to the current network as the capacity exists.
David Brown, Director General of SYPTE, said: “This strategy maps out the way in which we believe we can get the best out of the network in the coming years and build upon its success. We look forward to hearing contributions from stakeholders about the way forward for Supertram."
Among the suggestions in the strategy are:
* Expansion of the number of trams
* Current trams extended by adding extra units in the middle – this would also require platform extensions
* Priority for trams at all road junctions
Source: Sheffield Star & Sheffield Telegraph