Funding boost to help keep vital tram service in Hucknall up and running for key workers

The Department for Transport has agreed 12 weeks of funding for the tram system in Nottingham which is £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 three 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.

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.”

Grant Shapps, transport secretary, 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 worth almost £30 million to keep crucial routes running.