We’ve already reported on the Light Rail Conference which took place in Nottingham during June as the event celebrated 20 years by looking back at achievements in the sector whilst also looking forward to what the future may bring. With the event taking place in Nottingham the city’s tram system played a significant role on the day and this included a commitment from the operator in making sure they were running a service that could be relied upon.
There can be no doubt that the past few years have been a challenging one for Nottingham Express Transit. There were financial problems caused by COVID and the fall in passenger numbers, and more recently tram availability has been an ongoing problem. But Tim Hesketh, CEO of Tramlink, was keen at the Conference to look forward to improving things.
He said: “There are seven light rail projects or light rail systems in the UK, but the Nottingham tram network is the only one which is funded under the PFI financial system, which presents unique challenges to us, our shareholders and the project as a whole. However, one of the unfortunate things about PFI projects is that they run a very strict regime, requiring us to run around a thousand trips a day. Each trip in and out of the city is measured as a single trip, and we’re not allowed to change that – it doesn’t matter how many people we have on the tram, we still have to run those trips.
“That meant that during COVID, we still had to run a full service, with or without passengers, and as a result our fare revenue fell through the floor. And, even though there was some recovery in 2023, passenger numbers following COVID were slow to recover. This, coupled with rising energy bills meant we were in a position where our revenues were substantially down and costs to run the network were at an all-time high.
“However, to ensure we could secure the future of the network and put it in a more stable financial position, in 2023, we completed a successful financial restructuring project following a negotiation of loan terms from lenders. Like many other public transport operators, we’re all still feeling the effects of COVID on revenue and passenger numbers, but by sharing our experiences as an operator, we hope to encourage others in the light rail industry.
“Although forecasts look strong for the coming years, we know we cannot expect passengers to pay for travel if we’re not running a good service. That’s something we’re committed to ensuring wholeheartedly. As such we continue to work to ensure there are no avoidable delays or cancellations while striving to get the balance right on fares in the midst of no support from central government, unlike buses.
“In addition, the network is still facing the challenges that come with maintaining a fleet of trams – some of which date back to 20 plus years ago – as well as the ongoing challenges of tram damage following road traffic collisions, with some trams taking up to two years to return to service following repair. We’re also looking at ways we can introducing new timetables that better serve our communities.
“The Nottingham tram network has come a long way in 22 years, and it was brilliant to be able to share our journey so far with delegates at this year’s Light Rail Conference. However, we know there’s still work to be done. We remain committed to doing all we can to ensure the security of the network and that we can continue running a safe and reliable network for the people of Nottingham.”