From Argentina to Australia, Belgium to Brazil and USA to the UK, tram systems feature in many of the world's best cities. According to the LRTA, there are currently over 350 operating tramways in 58 countries. This page gives a general introduction into tram systems already running in the UK.

For links to external websites regarding these UK systems go to the NETwork links page.

Click below to view other Tram Systems..

Croydon TramLink
West Midlands Metro
Manchester MetroLink
Sheffield SuperTram
Future Projects

Croydon Tramlink

			Croydon TramLink Click on image for larger version

• Opened in May 2000. Cost of construction: £200 million. Tramlink operates in and around Croydon, south London. Line 1 runs between Wimbledon in the south west, where it connects to London Underground, via a loop in central Croydon, to Elmers End in the east, with connections to suburban rail services. Line 2 links central Croydon with suburban rail services in Beckenham. Line 3 serves New Addington in the south east. Feeder buses provide further links in the area.
• Operator: Tramtrack Croydon / FirstGroup.
• Number of stations: 38, all wheelchair accessible. Step-free access to low platforms and the adjacent streets.
• Length of Route: 28 km, 3 lines.
• Staff: 186
• Fleet: 24 trams, all wheelchair accessible.
• Power supply: 750V DC overhead line.
• Partly segregated, with on-street running in Croydon. Many ungated level crossings of roads and footpaths. No track or signal sharing with other railways. Trams use their own platforms in Wimbledon and Elmers End stations.
• Passenger kilometres 2001/02: 99 million.
• Passenger journeys 2001/02: 18.2 million.
• Passenger receipts 2001/02: £12.9 million.
• Future expansion: assessment studies under way for possible extensions serving Crystal Palace, Norbury, Streatham, Purley, Coulsdon and Sutton.
  

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West Midlands Metro

			West Midlands Metro Click on image for larger version

• Opened: 1999; Cost of construction: £145 million. Mixture of on-street and segregated running on new formations.
• Operator: Altram consortium.
• Number of stations: 23, wheelchair accessible. Step-free access to low platforms and streets.
• Length of route: 20 km
• Staff: 147
• Fleet: 16 passenger cars, all wheelchair accessible.
• Power supply: 750V DC overhead line.
• Passenger kilometres 2001/02: 50.1 million
• Passenger journeys 2001/02: 4.8 million
• Passenger receipts 2001/02: £3.9 million
• Future expansion: proposed extensions further into central Birmingham and to Merry Hill.
  

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Manchester Metrolink

			Manchester MetroLink Click on image for larger version

• Opened: 1992 at an initial cost of construction of £140 million. A two line system with both sections meeting on-street in central Manchester in Piccadilly Gardens. Extension to Eccles opened in March 2000, £160 million.
• Operator: Altram.
• Number of stations: 36. Standard height platforms as many suburban stations are served by the system.
• Length of route: 39.1 km
• Staff: 303 (in 2000/01)
• Fleet: 32 passenger carriages, high floor design similar to trains, but wheelchair accessible.
• Power supply 750V DC overhead line.
• Partly segregated. Major use of former rail alignments, with street running in central Manchester. Metrolink shares major stations with rail franchise holders.
• Passenger kilometres : 152.3 million (2000/01)
• Passenger journeys 2001/02:18.2 million
• Passenger receipts : £18 million (2000/01)
• Future expansion: Phase 3 extensions to Oldham, Rochdale, Ashton-under-Lyne, Manchester Airport, and, subject to funding, Trafford Park.
  

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Sheffield Supertram

			Sheffield SuperTram Click on image for larger version

• Opened: 1994/95. Cost of construction: £240 million. On-street running tramway with some segregation from other traffic.
• Operator: Stagecoach Holdings (from 1997). Owned by South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive.
• Number of tram stops: 48, step-free access, wheelchair accessible.
• Length of route: 29 km
• Staff: 272
• Fleet: 25 passenger cars of low floor design, all wheelchair accessible.
• Power supply 750V DC overhead line.
• Passenger kilometres 2001/02: 39 million
• Passenger journeys 2001/02: 11.4 million
• Passenger receipts 2001/02: £7.6 million
• Future expansion plans: route extensions are being considered.
  

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Future projects

Line One of Nottingham Express Transit opened to the traveling public on Tuesday 9th March 2004. There are proposals for two other lines running south from the city centre.

Three groups are bidding for the £487 million Leeds Supertram and a short list of bidders has been drawn up for the £190 million South Hampshire Rapid Transit. These are expected to have trams running by 2006/7.

There are proposals for the modernisation of Blackpool Corporation Tramway to improve journey times and accessibility. Transport for London has announced four rapid transit schemes for the capital, two of which are to be tramways. One of the other schemes is to be a guided busway with the option of later conversion to a tramway. A number of other schemes are under consideration or are being developed by local authorities.

For links to external websites regarding these UK systems go to the links page.

Source:
A Bulletin of Public Transport Statistics GB 2002, published by the
Department for Transport.