The annual Light Rail Awards took place in London on 1st October 2014 with many of the UK\u2019s systems winning on the night. Probably the most prestigious award is the \u201cOperator of the Year\u201d and this went to National Express West Midlands for their running of Midland Metro during the past 12 months but there were also awards for Blackpool, Edinburgh, Manchester Metrolink and Nottingham Express Transit.<\/p>\n
The Operator of the Year award in 2013 had been won by RATP for all of their worldwide light rail operations, including Metrolink, but in 2014 it has headed further south with National Express West Midlands taking the honours for the first time for their running of the short but expanding Midland Metro line.<\/p>\n
Speaking about the award, Peter Coates, Managing Director of National Express West Midlands, commented: \u201cTo win this award alongside delivering a major extension is a great result and a credit to the hard work of all our staff who ensure our trams are clean, reliable and safe. This award is proof we are on the right track and we will be working with passenger groups, Centro and local councillors to help deliver further improvements.”<\/p>\n
Elsewhere \u201cSupplier of the Year\u201d was awarded to CAF (builders of the new trams for Edinburgh and Midland Metro) whilst the introduction of the new trams on Midland Metro won \u201cProject of the Year\u201d.<\/p>\n
Two of the more controversial light rail systems in the UK also went away with awards with both Edinburgh Trams and Manchester Metrolink being recognised. Edinburgh won the judges \u201cSpecial Award\u201d for the way they had managed to turn the project around and for Manchester Metrolink it was the \u201cMost Improved System\u201d prize. It would be fair to say that both of these awards have been met with consternation on the internet with both enjoying more than their fair share of criticism over the past 12 months (and beyond).<\/p>\n
The judges gave their \u201cSpecial Award\u201d to Edinburgh, and more specifically Council Chief Executive, Sue Bruce, and Transport Convener, Lesley Hinds, because of the way they managed to bring the project in on the revised schedule and budget and despite of all of the high profile problems. The judges commented: \u201cThis formidable duo came into one of the most high-profile \u2013 for all the wrong reasons \u2013 and toughest tramway projects late in the game. Through strong leadership, they have turned it around \u2013 and into a success.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nottingham Express Transit also won four awards on the night including \u201cBest Customer Initiative\u201d which was awarded for their \u201csuccessful off Tram Ticketing initiative\u201d \u2013 another award which is likely to be more than a little controversial.<\/p>\n
Blackpool Transport was named \u201cEmployee Team of the Year\u201d for the behind the scenes effort of staff involved in making the \u201cservice as great as it can be\u201d. This award normally goes to teams at Transport for London and is seen as a major coup for the team behind the successful upgraded tramway in Blackpool. Bob Mason, Director of Delivery at Blackpool Transport, said: \u201cWe are proud to be winners of such a prestigious award. The team at Starr Gate, with support from our Head Office at Rigby Road, have done extremely well and the award is testament to their hard work\u201d.<\/p>\n
The last word goes to Nicholas Owen, newsreader and host of the evening, who, speaking about Blackpool Transport\u2019s award win, said: \u201cRunning a system that mixes up 80-year-old trams and the latest start-of-the-art Bombardier Flexity 2s isn\u2019t exactly something I\u2019d like to do. This tight-knit team of just over 100 drivers and conductors are at the top of their game \u2013 highly trained and highly motivated. Passengers respect what they do, and absenteeism is half the national average. Business over the last couple of years is also up 50% by the way and this system ranked first in many of the categories of the inaugural Passenger Focus Tram Passenger Survey.\u201d<\/p>\n
* It almost seems that these awards are the awards that no-one cares about as it is always very difficult to find information about who has won which award! The above and the awards we have been able to find mention of, if you know of any further awards on the night please let us know!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The annual Light Rail Awards took place in London on 1st October 2014 with many of the UK\u2019s systems winning on the night. Probably the most prestigious award is the \u201cOperator of the Year\u201d and this went to National Express … Continue reading