Additional £33 million earmarked for regional light rail operators

Light rail and tram operators outside London will receive a further £33 million in Government support over the next 11 weeks.

The latest funding had been due to expire on April 5. This decision, confirmed on March 20, takes the total level of support to almost £200m during the pandemic. There will be a review into the need for more funds at the end of the 11 weeks.

“As the country opens up in line with the roadmap out of lockdown, we want light rail and tram services to be available to passengers and running as normal,” said Transport Minister Baroness Vere.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Steve Barclay added: “Today’s funding means thousands of people across the north of England and the Midlands can continue to travel on public transport when they need to, and that trams will be ready for when the country comes out of lockdown.”

The Urban Transport Group welcomed the move but warned that longer-term funding would be needed while public transport recovers from the pandemic.

Stephen Edwards, Executive Director, South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, and lead

Board member on light rail for

UTG, said: “We are currently in dialogue with Government over the scale and duration of recovery funding that will be needed beyond this further tranche of emergency funding, given that pre-pandemic levels of patronage are unlikely to quickly return and the need to ensure that light rail and tram systems can play their full part in a green and just recovery from COVID-19.”