UK's first tram train en route to Sheffield

THE UK’S first tram train vehicle has started its journey to Sheffield from Spain. The fully-constructed, 37m long tram train will make a two week voyage over land and sea from Valencia before arriving in South Yorkshire on 1 December. Passengers in the county will be the first in the UK to benefit from the innovative new tram train, a tram-type vehicle that has the signalling, power supply, control and communication technology to run on both street tram lines and the rail network.
November 25, 2015 Read time: 3 mins

The UK’S first tram train vehicle has started its journey to Sheffield from Spain.

The fully-constructed, 37m long tram train will make a two week voyage over land and sea from Valencia before arriving in South Yorkshire on 1 December.

Passengers in the county will be the first in the UK to benefit from the innovative new tram train, a tram-type vehicle that has the signalling, power supply, control and communication technology to run on both street tram lines and the rail network.

The arrival of the first of seven tram trains marks an important milestone for the two-year pilot scheme, delivered by South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE), 5021 Network Rail, 805 Stagecoach Supertram, Northern Rail and the 1837 Department for Transport, to see if the technology can be used elsewhere in the UK. The pilot will run for two years while customer satisfaction, passenger numbers, reliability and costs are tested. Tram train will continue to run as a local service if the pilot is successful.

Transport Minister Andrew Jones said: “This is a great milestone in the pioneering tram train project which, when complete, will mean better journeys for passengers in South Yorkshire, as well as helping to boost the economy of the local area and beyond. I am looking forward to seeing the first vehicle arrive in Sheffield next month.”

Speaking on behalf of the project team, SYPTE’s executive director Steve Edwards, added: “Tram train is a first for the UK. The design and planning to make Tram Trains run is a complex operation and we’re delighted this important milestone brings us one step closer to making the scheme a reality.

“Tram train will demonstrate the potential, both locally and nationally, of this new technology to deliver value for money services. It will provide a boost to the regional economy, thanks to improved connections across the region. And, if the pilot is successful, it opens the way for tram trains to be introduced in other parts of the country.”

Part of the major works to make the scheme a reality also includes the electrification of the rail network between Sheffield and Rotherham, building new Tram Train platforms at Rotherham Central and Parkgate, and the construction of a new 160 metre section of track, the Tinsley Chord, linking the tramway to the train line near Meadowhall. Approval by the Secretary of State for Transport to construct the Tinsley Chord was welcomed by SYPTE and Network Rail in November 2015.

Related Content

  • January 21, 2015
    Funding announced for next stage of Bristol rapid bus network
    A pioneering bus scheme in Bristol will be more than doubled thanks to a huge US$41 million grant from the government, UK Transport Minister Baroness Kramer has announced. The MetroBus network uses dedicated busways to provide new express bus services into the city. The infrastructure will also boost existing bus services, which can use the busways to beat congestion. The new money will support the second phase of the Bristol MetroBus scheme and see the construction of another 3.1 miles of busways in th
    Read More
  • November 13, 2015
    UK regions to be offered legal powers to transform transport
    UK government plans to give the regions new powers to transform transport in their areas took a major step forward this week with the publication of proposals in Parliament. As part of the government’s drive to deliver economic growth across the country, including the creation of a Northern Powerhouse and Midlands Engine, organisations like Transport for the North (TfN) are now closer to becoming statutory bodies. The legal powers and duties being offered as part of this commitment to devolution will
    Read More
  • August 25, 2016
    Government funding for Lincoln transport hub
    The UK government has announced funding for the Lincoln transport hub, including a new bus station and 1,000 space car park. There will also be improvements to Lincoln Central railway station and a pedestrianised plaza connecting the bus and rail stations. As part of the upgrade, the new bus station will provide live travel information for both bus and rail passengers, while the 1,000 space multi-storey will have up to 32 electric vehicle charging points to power the next generation of vehicles. Cycle
    Read More
  • June 25, 2012
    Vix enables UK first for Stagecoach bus passengers
    A new NFC Phone application developed by Vix is enabling a UK first for Stagecoach bus passengers in Cambridge. The innovative trial, which could lead to a nationwide roll out across select bus and rail services next year, is enabling the small cross section of participating bus users to receive, store and validate their bus tickets using their mobile phone.
    Read More

Highlighted Content