The First UK’s Tram-Train Learning Hub in South Yorkshire

The UK’s first Tram-Train learning Hub has been launched by Network Rail to inspire other operators in the country to have their own Tram-Train Service. 

The first ever Tram-Train pilot scheme was here in South Yorkshire. Started on the 25th October 2018, the Tram-Train service (operated by Stagecoach Supertram) currently operates between Sheffield Cathedral and Rotherham Parkgate. It has had over one million passengers within the first year of running and overall had ninety six percent of satisfaction by passengers using the route. 

The learning hub is a body that will boost any future light and heavy rail hybrid schemes across the country. 

Simon Coulthard, Head of Light Rail Knowledge said “The launch of the learning hub marks another major milestone in the delivery of the Tram

Train Pilot. I hope colleagues in the industry will find the hub valuable as they assess the potential for Tram Train elsewhere.”The    hub has been created to provide a centre of excellence in Network Rail. 

Already other places in the country are already looking into their own Tram Train scheme.  For example; Wales are already progressing with their own service and will operate at some point in the future. These are what their Tram-Trains could look like. 

Finally, I have had the privilege to ride on the Tram-Train service here in South Yorkshire and the services are smooth as they get you from the Cathedral to the Shopping Park in Rotherham in under 27 minutes without having to go from a tram to a train.