UKTram recently attended Interchange 2026 which was held at Manchester Central on 3rd and 4th March. This is considered to be the leading meeting place for the integrated transport infrastructure community and it saw clients, decision makers and industry experts come together to explore how a more decarbonised, resilient and connected transport system can be delivered.
UKTram’s Stakeholder and Innovation Manager, Tim Bilby, attended the event on behalf of the organisation and he participated in a roundtable discussion hosted by Hitachi and visiting UKTram members. The programme also saw an update on the Coventry Very Light Rail (VLR) project by UKTram Board Member Nicola Small, and a breakfast briefing hosted by Women in Transport on the second day.
One key theme discussed at the event was the sector’s shared ambition to accelerate delivery while prioritising the customer in all future transport systems. Discussions also included rail reform, the development of Great British Railways, bus reform and the impact of devolved funding on local transport networks.
Light rail was widely recognised as an effective mode for high-density urban journeys. There was also considerable interest shown in the continued development of Very Light Rail and its potential role in expanding urban transport.
Tim Bilby said: “Interchange 26 was a great opportunity to hear from a wide range of speakers and panels discussing ideas, challenges and ambitions for delivering the future of transport. It’s also a valuable networking opportunity, and it was good to see so many UKTram members actively participating throughout the event.”