South Yorkshire Supertram to Be Publicly Owned and Operated from 2024

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South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) will take over control of the region’s Supertram services, infrastructure and finances from Stagecoach when the operator’s contract ends in March 2024.

South Yorkshire’s Supertram system was launched in 1994 to cover Sheffield. A tram train project completed in 2018 then extended its service to Rotherham.

South Yorkshire SupertramSouth Yorkshire Supertram

The creation of an ‘arm’s length’ publicly owned company was approved by local leaders at the Mayoral Combined Authority Board meeting this month.

This move forms part of the region’s wider ambitions to upgrade Supertram within a fully integrated public transport network. Modernisation is supported by the local community – in a 2018 study, 88% of local residents and businesses voted in favour of improvements.

Just recently, SYMCA secured a 100 million GBP (114.03m EUR |111.12m USD) grant from the UK government to contribute towards this system modernisation.

Works will include improvements to the track and infrastructure, as well as passenger facilities.

Oliver Coppard, Mayor for South Yorkshire, said:

“Supertram has been part of South Yorkshire’s fabric for nearly thirty years. In the next thirty years, it will play a critical role in helping us reach our net zero goal.

“Now, I am pleased to be able to say that it will do so as a publicly owned, publicly operated venture.

“Full public control of Supertram is an exciting new chapter for our tram network. It will help us to develop a long-term, integrated approach that fits with our wider plans for buses, rail, walking and cycling across South Yorkshire.”

source= https://railway-news.com/south-yorkshire-supertram-to-be-publicly-owned-and-operated-from-2024/

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