Overall satisfaction with the £200 million city-to-Hucknall Nottingham Express Transit (NET) line climbed to 75% during 2007, compared with 59% in 2006.

The statistics come from an independent survey carried out among 2,500 customers by the Nottingham Tram Consortium. It is the fourth year the poll has been taken.

A total of 92% of respondents said they were satisfied with staff – an increase on 70% for 2006.

Both reliability and journey time were given an 88% satisfaction rating, which is up on 67% and 68% respectively from the previous year.

While the rating for cleanliness went up from 67% in 2006 to 84% in 2007 and the ease of buying tickets increased from 66% to 85%.

All aspects of service at stops and on NET's website received improved satisfaction ratings, with the star performer being electronic displays, which climbed from 72% to 94%.

The areas that stand out for attention are security at park-and-ride sites like the ones in Hucknall and Bulwell town centres and security en route to a stop.

Although there was an improvement of 15% in the park-and-ride category, satisfaction still stands at just 53%. In terms of security en route to a stop, that increased from 39% to 60%.

The survey also investigated support for an extension of the tram network with 81% backing such moves.

Coun Jane Urquhart (Lab), lead member for transport at Nottingham City Council, said: "We are delighted with these research results, which indicate substantial improvements with passengers reporting high levels of satisfaction across all areas.

"This is reflected in the increased passenger numbers, which have seen a 2.7% growth in 2007.

"The obvious and continued success of the line confirms that the plans to expand the network to provide tram services to other areas in Greater Nottingham are valid and there is widespread support for these developments."