Darren Henry MP Broxtowe said: “I welcome this package of support from the Government for the local tram network. Importantly, many key workers travel on the tram from Broxtowe to work in places such as the Queen’s Medical Centre. So this is keeping public transport available for those providing our community with the greatest service of all.”
Nottingham Tram services to be protected with £3.7 million support package
- £3.7 million funding to protect critical tram services in Nottingham
- 12 weeks of funding will enable services to continue for those who need them, including NHS staff
- Announcement forms part of a nearly £30 million package to keep light rail services running across England
Tram services in Nottingham will be able to continue to run key services for those who rely on them, thanks to a support package of £3.7 million announced by the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps today (1st May).
The Department for Transport has agreed 12 weeks of funding for the tram system in Nottingham - £309,000 per week - enabling key routes to remain open for people travelling to hospitals, supermarkets or those who cannot work from home, including frontline NHS staff.
Operators across the country have seen a sharp decline in passenger numbers and suffered significant losses in income as people rightly follow Government guidance and stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Following consultations with the industry, a bespoke package of support has been agreed for Tramlink Nottingham to ensure an essential service can continue. This funding over a period of 3 months, will be backdated from mid-March, and will mean operators can run essential services while ensuring that current social distancing guidelines can be met.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:
“The best way to stop the spread of the virus and protect the NHS is to stay at home – but protecting key transport services is vital to ensure essential travel can take place.
“The Nottingham Tram has served as the spine of this city for 16 years. It plays a crucial role in getting NHS staff and emergency services to work - and it is only right that we offer operators support during this time of national crisis.
“This package of support will help ensure tram services continue to operate at this difficult time.”
This funding is part of a wider package of support for light rail systems in England announced by the Transport Secretary today, worth almost £30 million, which will see critical routes in the West Midlands, Tyne and Wear, Manchester and Sheffield continue to run.
It comes as the Government recently announced a funding boost of up to £397 million for vital bus services with new funding of up to £167 million to be paid over 12 weeks under the new COVID-19 Bus Services Support Grant.
Last month, the Government took emergency measures to support and sustain necessary rail services as operators face significant drops in their income.
The Department temporarily suspended normal franchise agreements and transferred all revenue and cost risk to the government for a limited period, and is offering free refunds to anyone holding an advance ticket to ensure passengers are not out of pocket.
