Author Archives: Gareth Prior

In Pictures: Driver familiarisation now underway to North Station

Posted on Saturday 27 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

As we saw earlier in the week, the first test runs since 2022 onto the Blackpool Tramway extension to North Station took place on Tuesday 23rd April. Two trams were used on that first day and these were deemed a … Continue reading →

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Around the World in Trams: Kolkata 331

Posted on Saturday 27 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

It’s the last of our photos from Kolkata for now in this “Around the World in Trams” or is it the first “Trams & Goats”?!

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Edinburgh Trams celebrates their diverse workforce

Posted on Saturday 27 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

Edinburgh Trams are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment within the light rail network with new figures showing that their current workforce includes staff from 24 different countries across the world! From Argentina and Venezuela in South America … Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh Trams | 3 Comments

Metro performance reduces again

Posted on Saturday 27 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

We’re probably being a broken record here but the latest performance statistics released for the Tyne and Wear Metro show that once again performance has fallen – that’s both in comparison with the previous four weeks as well as the … Continue reading →

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Metrolink breaks a record on Marathon day

Posted on Friday 26 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

With the Manchester Marathon taking place on Sunday 14th April it was a day of personal bests – and we’re not just talking about the runners who took part! The route of the marathon took participants through parts of south … Continue reading →

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Dogs on West Midlands Metro trial a success

Posted on Friday 26 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

Well-behaved dogs will still be able to travel on the West Midlands Metro after it was announced that the extended trial has been a success and would be extended permanently.

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Picture in Time: Blackpool Balloon 702

Posted on Friday 26 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

“Picture in Time” is again in Blackpool today.

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In Pictures: Birmingham Eastside extension works move to Moor Street Queensway

Posted on Thursday 25 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

The construction of the West Midlands Metro Birmingham Eastside extension is now entering a new phase with work starting on Moor Street Queensway with road closures (and bus stop changes) being introduced from early April in preparation for the work. … Continue reading →

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Solent Sky Tram Event back for 2024

Posted on Thursday 25 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

It was have been over 75 years since trams last ran in the Hampshire city of Southampton but they are far from forgotten and a dedicated group of volunteers have been keeping the history alive with a small collection of … Continue reading →

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New poetry now displayed on the Metro

Posted on Thursday 25 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

Following on from last year’s annual National Poetry Day competition, Longbenton Metro station is now home to the winning poems for all to enjoy. 317 entries were received by Nexus on the theme of “Journey” and now four are now … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: 204 completes an e-on hattrick in Nottingham

Posted on Wednesday 24 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

e-on now have three incredibly similar adverts adorning trams in Nottingham after Incentro 204 swapped its previous all over ad for MHR Global for the incredibly familiar red vinyls for the power company. Of course, the company are no strangers … Continue reading →

Posted in Nottingham Express Transit | 1 Comment

First passenger tram to run to North Station 12th June – full service starts 16th June

Posted on Wednesday 24 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

After the excitement of the first day of the latest round of testing along Talbot Road and to North Station on the Blackpool Tramway yesterday comes the news many have been waiting for – a date for services to start. … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 4 Comments

Pop Pay As You Go to provide bigger discounts on the Metro

Posted on Wednesday 24 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

Passengers travelling on the Tyne and Wear Metro are being urged to switch from paper tickets to Pop Pay As You Go to enjoy even greater discounts on their tickets following increases in other Metro fares as from 1st April … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: Tram testing to North Station underway

Posted on Tuesday 23 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

As announced last week, Tuesday 23rd April 2024 saw the resumption of testing on the Blackpool Tramway extension to North Station. This was the first time that trams had run along the line since early July 2022 as preparations for … Continue reading →

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UKTram Operations Group look at “Just Culture”

Posted on Tuesday 23 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

A recent meeting of the UKTram Operations Group looked at the tools that operators can use to further develop their “Just Culture” as representatives from tramways (including heritage) across the British Isles met in Manchester.

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Designer of the Metro typeface visits Newcastle

Posted on Tuesday 23 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

Margaret Calvert has visited Newcastle for the first time to see the results of her work in the late 1970s to design a typeface for the Tyne and Wear Metro. Margaret travelled up from her London home on Tuesday 26th … Continue reading →

Posted in Tyne and Wear Metro | 1 Comment

In Pictures: Metrolink 3038 revises its Get on Board message

Posted on Monday 22 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

Not previously mentioned on these pages is that Manchester Metrolink 3038 is now carrying a revised promotional livery for Get on Board. This is the Transport for Greater Manchester – or Bee Network as its now marketed – campaign to … Continue reading →

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Group discounts available on Edinburgh Trams

Posted on Monday 22 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

Those travelling to Edinburgh in groups of 10 or more are set to be able to enjoy even better savings for travel on the tram network after the launch of a new online booking service.

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Out and About: West Midlands Metro – last tram into service

Posted on Monday 22 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

Off to the West Midlands Metro for this edition of “Out and About”.

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Manchester Metrolink Then & Now: Piccadilly Gardens

Posted on Sunday 21 April 2024 by Gareth Prior

We now move into Manchester City Centre as “Manchester Metrolink Then & Now” continues.

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