2012 -- ‘A successful year for Nottingham’s Trams’

The Greater Nottingham Light Rapid Transit Advisory Committee meets on Tuesday, December 11th to discuss two reports on the Performance & future plans for the tram network by Andy Holdstock and Lea Harrison.

Thousand of residents from St Ann’s use Nottingham’s trams every year, which is a very popular mode of transport for everyone in the city.

The meeting will be informed that in 2013 in a change to the Byelaws £50 penalty fairs are to be issued for the first time (reduced to £25 if paid within 14 days).

Councillors will also hear that “from May to the end of October 2012 the average levels of reliability and punctuality of the tram system remained high over the period with 99.8% of timetabled trips operating and 99.3% of trips departing on time.

“9 million passengers used the tram system in the financial year from 1st April 2011 to 30^th March 2012.

“The frequency of tram services on Wednesday and Friday evenings has been increased in the run-up to Christmas to coincide with late-night shopping in the city centre. Between The Forest and Station Street, the trams are now running once every 5 minutes between 6.30pm and 10.00pm on these days.

“Construction works have commenced to increase the size of the tram depot and control centre at Wilkinson Street, which will allow for the increased fleet size that will operate on NET Phase Two. This has resulted in a reduction in the number of parking spaces at Wilkinson Street Park and Ride Site. In addition, new track work is being delivered to the depot through the car park during off-peak hours.

“A new Off-Tram Ticketing strategy is being introduced In September 2013. The solution embraces the use of modern technology with the introduction of Ticket Vending Machines (TVM’s) and Validators, the positions of which have been determined by anticipated passenger flows.

“Tramlink are currently completing a full review of the NET Byelaws and conditions of carriage to ensure that they fully support the changes that are to be implemented with the introduction of Off Tram Ticketing.”

In summary the changes are designed to take account of the transfer of the Concession to Tramlink Nottingham and specifically:

1. To allow Tramlink to check tickets of passengers alighting from trams at tram stops, and to sell tickets to passengers that are unable to produce a ticket on demand.

2. To simplify provisions relating to car parks and to ensure pedestrian and car routes are not obstructed.

3. To assist wheelchair users in being able to fully use on-tram wheelchair spaces.