We recently ran a report on the forthcoming Family Day set to take place at the Very Light Rail Innovation Centre in Dudley on Saturday 17th May and now it has been confirmed that Coventry City Council will be a leading event partner. As previously reported this partnership will include the first passenger runs of the Coventry Very Light Rail vehicle, with trips being offered on site at the Dudley facility.
Coventry City Council have been heavily involved with BCIMO in the gestation of the Very Light Rail project and together they have helped to set-up the Very Light Rail Innovation Centre in Dudley. This was set-up to support the development of the Very Light Rail industry and innovation across the wider rail sectors. As part of the collaboration, Coventry City Council secured Government funding to help prepare the centre for its role in enabling the research and development of the Coventry Very Light Rail vehicle.
The event will see the 20-seated vehicle (in full service it can accommodate up to 60 of which 20 will be seated) offering rides on the complete test track at the Dudley facility, including through the Dudley Railway Tunnel. This will be only time the vehicle will be offering rides at Dudley, ahead of its move to Coventry for demonstration rides in late May and June.
Cllr Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration, and Climate Change at Coventry City Council, said: “Very Light Rail is the beginning of our plans to revolutionise transport in Coventry. The Family Day in Dudley provides the first opportunity for the public to experience a ride ahead of it moving to Coventry for on-road testing. CVLR can potentially change how people move around smaller cities and towns. It’s green, has the potential to provide a hop-on, hop-off service, and it’s a fraction of the price of conventional tram systems, thanks to our very clever track. It’s great that people can ride on it and experience it in Dudley, where it has been shuttling up and down as part of testing and soon in our city centre.”
Neil Fulton, CEO of BCIMO, added: “We are incredibly proud of our long-standing partnership with Coventry City Council. Their early support was crucial in helping us develop the facilities that have enabled the programme team to test and advance their Very Light Rail system. As the Main Event Partner for Family Day, we’re excited to offer the public this exclusive opportunity to experience the CVLR demonstrator firsthand, showcasing the exciting potential of sustainable transport for the future.”
- The Family Day at the Dudley Very Light Rail Innovation Centre will take place on Saturday 17th May 2025. Tickets can be purchased in advance, with more details available at https://bcimo.co.uk/events/bcimo-family-day/