NETTrams.net Latest News

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Note due to a change in the NEP website, many links will no longer work.  I apologise for any inconvenience (15th March 2004).

17th October 2004: LRTA Tour of Line One and Wilkinson Street Depot.  As part of its programme of events for its AGM weekend, the LRTA organised a special tram tour of Line One and the depot at Wilkinson Street.  See special report pages for the Tour and a drivers eye view of the depot.
16th October 2004: LRTA Holds its AGM in Nottingham.  The LRTA, a leading advocate of tramways held its AGM in Nottingham in recognition of the opening NET earlier in the year.  For a press release see LRTA site
9th October 2004:  NET Carries Record Crowds to the Goose Fair.  The last day saw record crowds use the trams, see NETTrams Goose Fair Report.  The ambulance service caused the the service to go bananas by parking ambulance across the tracks, but with some switching around of tram runs, services gradually recovered after about an hour.
6th October 2004:  710th Goose Fair - NET's First.  The 710th Goose Faire opened with NET providing a normal evening service of 3 trams per hour to Phoenix Park and Hucknall.  NET were coping well see photo report.
6th October 2004:  Misplaced Car Disrupts Rush Services.  Services were disrupted when a women driver drove her Volvo on to the Colin St viaduct and came to rest at the south end of the scissor crossover blocking access to the preferred platform, at 4:40pm.  The driver was arrested by the Police.  Tram 208 was trapped and all services used the non preferred platform.  Services returned to normal after about an hour.  The car was nor removed until after services finished.  See NETTrams report and NEP.  The incident made the BBC East Midlands evening news.  Stills from the East Midlands report can be seen at the thetramstop site.
2nd October 2004:  Goose Fair preparations.  Forest Park and Ride users were leafleted with notices about the closure of the Park and Ride car park due to the Goose Fair.  Notices and Leaflets on the trams regarding extra trams and the Goose Fare.  See NETTrams preview report and thetram.net
2nd October 2004:  Photo Report.  A typical autumn day brings photo opportunities.  See general report and photo special of trams crossing at Moor Bridge
2nd October 2004:  Customer Satisfaction survey.  Passengers today were given a Customer Satisfaction survey with the incentive of 50 one week tram travel passes on offer.
26th September 2004:  Brian Clough tribute service in OMS means services terminated at the Royal Centre.  With an open air service taking place in Old Market Square in the morning to celebrate the life of Brian Clough, NET services were suspended south of the Royal Centre.  See special report on the revised NET services.
25th September 2004:  Noel Street Cricket Season continues.  Photo report of game in progress.
11th September 2004:  Permanent Way Institute hold conference in Nottingham.  Along with many other organisations who have recognised the importance of NET and are basing events in Nottingham, the Permanent Way Institute held their Autumn Seminar Modern tracks for Light Rail was held on Friday 10th & Saturday 11th September  at Nottingham Moat House and Trent University.  On the Saturday delegates had a private tour of NET's depot and control room at Wilkinson St.  Report.
6th September 2004:  New timetable introduced with increased service.  Revised timetable introduced giving 5 trams per hour Monday to Saturday during the day, and 3 trams per hour during day on Sundays to both Phoenix Park and Hucknall.  For the official time table information see the the.tram.net site.  For the unofficial version of the timetable with tram diagram information on NETTrams.net see timetable information.  Also summary of tram diagrams updated, and old timetable summary archived.  Also tram fares rationalised slightly, see the.tram.net site, the single fares have been changed to either 80p or £1.10.  Day tickets remain unchanged at £2.00.
22nd May 2004:  Park and Ride survey.  Passengers arriving at Phoenix Park were asked to complete a self completion driver survey and post on to the company who where completing the survey on behalf of NET.  For copy of the questionnaire see report. 
15th May 2004:  TRLS AGM tour of NET.  The Tramway and Light Railway Society held their AGM at Nottingham Trent University, Goldsmith Street campus.  Prior to their AGM they toured the system in tram 204, visiting the non preferred platforms at Phoenix Park and Hucknall and crossing over all the crossovers.  The tour was taken by about 75 members and non members at the cost of £5, See photo report.
17th April 2004:  NET Reports over 500K journeys in First Month.  Around 540K journeys have been logged in  the first month of NET public services.  The actual number is believed to be a lot higher nearer 750K as the conductors have not been able log on their machines prepaid tickets, and the number of joint tickets sold by other operators is not yet known.  It is acknowledged that revenue has also been lost due to conductors not being able to get around the crowded trams to collect fares from passengers boarding at stops that do not have conductors on the platforms.  Assuming the tram industry level of 5% fare evasion, that would equate to about £30K of lost revenue based upon 750K ridership.  Extra conductors are being recruited and the tram frequency increased during to the day later in the year when more drivers are trained up.  The expectation is that the 5 trams per hour frequency to Hucknall and Phoenix Park will be introduced throughout the day Monday to Friday. This would require 12 trams in operation, with 2 in depot and 1 spare, rather then the current 9 trams required for off peak services.  This would give the drivers some variety, as they would make alternate trips to Hucknall and Phoenix Park.  See NET and NEP.  
16th April 2004:  Noel St Cricket Season has started!.   The kids of Noel St are back in action today playing cricket between trams on their pitch between Terrace St and Noel Street tram stop.  Talking to a conductor the cricket players are very quick at moving the stumps (wheelie bin and traffic cone) when a tram comes along and replacing the after it passed.  
15th April 2004:  Extensive report in the NEP in today's edition ahead of Monday's meeting of Nottigham City Council which will choose the proposed route for the line to Chilwell.

6th April 2004: Press release on Nottingham "A Pocket of excellence" release by LRTA.  Last Saturday, 3 April, saw some of the UK's top tramway experts converging on the city.  The Light Rail Transit Association  (LRTA) www.lrta.org held is annual officers conference at the Rutland Square Hotel.  It's fair to say that 40 of the top tramway experts were present in that room.  They heard a talk by Cllr John Taylor, chair of NET on the development of our system to date.  John explained that from the outset they were only interested in a high quality tramway system with no corners cut.  It was agreed that that is what has been delivered.  It was pointed out that the line from Hucknall and Phoenix Park is just the start of a true network with further lines being built very soon.  NET and the councils are always willing to learn and are determined that our system will be second to none in the UK.

Steve Barber chair of BACIT www.bacit.org then spoke on progress, problems and possible solutions for the Beeston and Chilwell line.  The delegates were treated to an illustrated talk on the route with such points as Neville Saddler Court, Chilwell Road, and Gwenbrook Ave being explored.  During the summer up the chair said how they see Nottingham as the leading the way in Light Rail systems.  The Editor of Tramway and Urban Transit referred to Nottingham as a "A Pocket of Excellence".  Following a conducted tour to Bulwell Forest the delegates hoped that "the rest of the country will follow Nottingham's fine example".
1st April 2004:  Boys arrested over stone throwing.  Two 12 year old boys have been arrested and released on police bail in conjunction with stone throwing incidents in the Bulwell area on 16th March in which a tram window was damaged.   See NEP.
1st April 2004:  Surprise early morning royal visit.  The Duke of Edinburgh paid a surprise visit to NET this morning as part of a tour the former Notts and Yorks coal field areas visiting  various regeneration programmes.  The DOE arrived at Nottingham Midland Station at 5:30 this morning before getting 6:00am tram to Wilkinson St.  He spent 40 minutes there on a brief tour before proceeding getting the 06:58 tram to Hucknall.  Apparently the Duke who is well known for his forthright speech asked "What bunch of cowboys would put up a PID you can't see from the front of the platform".   Upon arrival at Hucknall the Duke was picked up by a car to continue his tour.

30th March 2004:  Central Trains defend Station St access.  Central trains have defended their position with respect to access to NET's Station St trams stop from the Midland Station,  see NEP. 

To quote the Central Trains spokesperson:  " At present wheelchair users have to go 30 or 40 yards up the street to use the main entrance, but it is still fully accessible."

It might be 30 or 40 yards from Station St to the main entrance.  However in reality it is 60 to 80 yards extra as most trains stop in the middle or the east end under the footbridge to Station St away from the main entrance.  All passengers should be able to access the tram stop via the shortest route and not have to make a detour.  If you have to make a detour then passengers will consider and use alternative forms of transport or not even travel.  This distance and or stairs is a problem for many others eg the elderly not just wheelchair users.
29th March 2004:  Tram driver reprimanded.  The tram driver who had passed a stop signal on Saturday 13th March upon leaving Bulwell Forest, has been reprimanded.   See NEP.
29th March 2004:  Disabled users express concern over Station St access.  Wheelchair users and other people who can not manage stairs find the access to NET's Station Street tram stop difficult if they are interchanging from Nottingham Midland station.  This is due to the lack of lifts from the platforms to the foot bridge that connects with the tram stop.  Passengers who can not manage the stairs have to go the long way round via the Midland station main exit which does have lift access.  The tram stop which is situated on the old Great Central Railway viaduct does have a lift to connect it with Station Street and Trent Street.  See story on BBC. 
27th and 28th March 2004:  Crowded trams are the norm.  The third weekend of public services saw crowds again using the trams with standing room only on trams at times of peak flow.  Many passengers are now making their outward trip via Station Street in order to be sure of getting on a tram!.

20th March 2004:  Not a good day for NET.  A tram runs into a stationary car at the junction of Waverley St and Peel St, see BBC.  Later on in the day high winds causes damage to various parts of the city and causes suspension of services south of The Forest for 75 minutes.  Due to the wind shifting the scaffolding at One Fletchergate by the Lace Market tram stop, the power was switched off on the city centre section at about 3:45pm.  Trams turned at The Forest.  Services resumed about 5pm.

19th March 2004:  Nottingham City Council Leader wants tram network.  The leader of Nottingham City Council, Jon Collins wants the tram to be extended to West Bridgford and Arnold in addition to Clifton and Beeston and Chilwell.  See NEP.
16th March 2004:  Tram driver suspended – following Saturday’s near miss a tram driver has been suspended pending further investigation.  NEP
15th March 2004:  Trams need more conductors – due to crowded trams and a loss in revenue due to conductors not being able to get round, NET are considering more conductors.  BBC and BBC

13th March 2004:  Two trams involved in near miss – Two travelling in opposite directions on the single line section between Bulwell Forest and Moor Bridge came to a stop within sight of each other at about 4:45pm.  An investigation is underway.  BBC
13th March 2004:  Crowds patronize the trams for first Saturday of public services.  Loadings on the trams were full to capacity with the need for additional trams being pressed into service.  The additional trams worked Station Street to Bulwell extras.

10th March 2004: Tram hit by a stone.  A Tram taken out of service when a stone smashed one of its door panels.  The incident happened between 3 and 4pm as it passed Deptford Crescent footbridge in Bulwell on a north bound trip.  Passengers disembarked at Bulwell to await the next tram, whilst their tram went back to the depot for repairs.  Nobody was hurt in  the incident.  See BBC and  NEP
9th March 2004:  The Sun Shines on a Glorious NET, NET opens to the public.  Today at 05:58 NET opened to public services, tram 203 departed Phoenix Park with a full load made up mainly of well wishers, tram enthusiasts, the local press (television, radio newspaper), and more importantly the curious locals trying out the tram including a dear old lady who got the tram back to Highbury Vale where she lived. 

Many of the enthusiasts had travelled far and wide to be there including Mr Croydon Tramlink, Stephen Parascandolo who was one of the first 10 people to ride the first public service on the Croydon Tramlink system.  First days have changed a lot in the last 4 years.

Prior to departure and during the tram journey to Station St the press were interviewing all and sundry.  Including live radio broadcasts by somebody on a mobile phone going on about “Inspector Blakey” – a character from a 70’s TV programme “On the Busses”.  The first ticket sold was officially photographed and appeared in the lunch time edition of Nottingham Evening Post along with a special 16 page colour supplement.  I brought the second (a PP to Cinderhill single – how many of those were sold!), the second (PP to Bulwell Link bus, again how many were sold from PP?) and the fourth my day ticket.

The local television news and radio programmes all reported on the event at the breakfast time bulletins.  The result of the publicity was, following a brief lull after the morning rush the trams were packed solid all the way down the line.  The P&R car parks were full at Phoenix Park and Hucknall and nearly full at the Forest.  Only Wilkinson Street which is a bit “off route” remained quiet.  After lunch the trams were a bit quieter – but not much.

The most humorous sight for me was about 10:25, at the Forest tram stop, there was a queue waiting for the tram into the City.  It started at the city end of the tram stop and continued up the hill towards the city.  Obliviously the Park and Riders will need to get used to the multiple points of entry on trams and conductors, they have been conditioned to pay on entry for to long.

The more historic first tram from Hucknall left there at 06:02, with tram 214 and was equally packed when it arrived at Station Street.

The first tram from Station Street, tram 204, left at 06:00 for Hucknall which was waved away by a NET official with a flag, with between 40 and 50 people on board.

By lunch time the well disciplined service of NET began to slip with a number of delays occurring.  This gave rise to 3 trams occupying all the platform faces at Station Street at one time!  Further service disruption occurred about 5pm due to David Lane crossing barriers failing in the down position.  Passengers on the tram held at David Lane were given a complimentary day ticket for another day.  By 6:30 the BBC East Midlands News programme was reporting live that all was running well.

See NEP, BBC, The Guardian NETTrams.net Photos and reports pages 

Credit:  Nettrams@yahoo correspondents.
8th March 2004:  NET officially opened:  Alistair Darling the Secretary of State for transport officially opened NET at a ceremony in Old Market Square this morning.  There was a demonstration by workers at the Driving Standards Agency, but they were drowned out by a local band providing music.  Trams 205, 210 and 211 were used for the opening ceremony.  See NEP and BBC reports.

2nd March 2004:  Stephen Fry records radio advert for NET.  Stephen Fry has recorded 6 30 second adverts for NET which will run for 5 weeks following the opening of NET.  See NEP
1st March 2004:  Tram hit taxi door.  At about 4:30pm, a taxi driver opened his door as a tram went passed in Victoria Street, resulting in a damaged door on the taxi and glass in the single width door in the tram.  There was a report and photo in the NEP of the 2nd March, but no report on the NEP web site.  Credit:  David Beardsell.

28th February 2004: Operation Eggshell.  The third emergency exercise involving about 50 members of the public.  The scenario was that a tram, 207, had been involved in a collision with a double decker bus at Phoenix Park as it left Phoenix Park tram stop.  The emergency services attended with the fire brigade getting there well ahead of the ambulance service.  The members of the public took an active part simulating various injuries and ailments ranging from injured knees to a lady giving birth to triplets!  After the exercise some of the participants returned to the depot by bus whilst the others took the tram.  After a feedback session at the depot, the participants were treated to either a ride to Station Street in tram 211 or to Hucknall.

Credit: nettrams@yahoogroups correspondents.
27th February 2004:  Snow Trams running.  Light overnight snow gives a photo opportunity, unfortunately planned maintenance that day meant that no trams were out and the depot gates were closed, see photo.  Trams were running normally the next day.

24th February 2004:  13 Trams names agreed so far.  All of NET’s 15 trams are to be given names of famous Nottingham people.  So far 13 have been decided.  Five of the names were chosen by Nottingham Evening Post readers, 3 of which are as follows:  Mavis Worthington (Homestart volunteer), Dinah Minton (co-founder of head injuries support charity Headway), Erica Beardsmore (former newsagent from Hyson Green and campaigner for elevating the status of Hyson Green). DH Lawrence was the choice of the BBC Nottingham viewers.  Other include Sir Jesse Boot (founder of Boots the Chemist), Lord Byron (the poet), William Booth (founder of the Salvation Army), Bendigo Thompson (bare-knuckle fighter) and Robin Hood.  See NEP and BBC.
22nd February 2004:  Operation Dougal and Daisy.  The second emergency exercise of the weekend involving members of the public.  The scenario this time was that tram 207 returning from Phoenix Park derailed on the crossing at Phoenix Park.  Members of the public were successfully evacuated off the tram, to walk back to Highbury Vale.  One member of the public simulated being a blind person to add a challenge to the NET staff.  Tram 212 was then sent up to Highbury Vale to allow the passengers to continue back towards Wilkinson Street.  Tram 212 ran wrong line back to Wilkinson before regaining the correct line using the crossover there.  All in the two exercises provided NET with useful feedback from “travelling public” in how they handle people in such situations.
21st February 2004:  Operation Gordon.  Emergency exercise using members of the public took place using tram 207 at Cinderhill.  The scenario was that the tram had caught fire and had to be excavated.  The Fire Brigade were in attendance with two tenders plus FB observers.  The police were diverting through traffic away from Bagnall Road.  The members of the public who took part were treated to a tram ride to Phoenix Park and Station Street.  See drivers eye view from David Lane to Station St.

12th February 2004:  Start date announced for opening to the public as Tuesday 9th March 2004.  See: NET site or BBC Nottingham website for story.

9th February 2004:  Tram 209 involved in RTA with a pedestrian at the Royal Centre tram stop.  The pedestrian in his 20’s received injury injuries.  He was featured on East Midlands Today when the BBC announced the start of public services.  See NEP for the story.
5th February 2004:  A pedestrian was stuck by tram 201 as he crossed Upper Parliament Street into Market Street.  The man received minor cuts and was treated at the scene by a passing ambulance crew.  See NEP for story.

29th January 2004:  Tram hits van on David Lane Level crossing, at about 11:30am.   The van driver was taken to hospital, but injuries were very minor.  Trial running of trams was stopped for about an hour.  PID at Bulwell Forest tram stop displayed “Service disruption listen to announcements”. Tram 208 was held at Hucknall during the stoppage. See BBC website  or NEP for story.

28th January 2004: First real snow hits NET.  An ongoing problem with sanding gear resulted in trail running being reduced/suspended in the morning.  Only 10 trams were in the peak morning service the following morning resulting in gaps in the service.

21st January 2004:  BBC film crew films a tram journey from Hucknall to Station Street.  This film is shown on the BBC East Midlands Today programme in the main evening news as Hucknall to Nottingham in 3 minutes.  Various versions are available on the BBC website were it is billed as Travel at 500mph.  The best version is the 256K version. The tram used for the run was 206.  That day the peak day service was perfect to time.

19th January 2004:  NET announced its fare structure.  See NET website, or BBC or NEP sites for full story.  The fares are as follows:  Adult single fares of 80p, £1.00 and £1.20.  Return ticket £2.00 valid as all day ticket.    Child fares 60p max single and £1.20 return/day ticket.  Group day ticket (2+3) £4.  P&R car parking free.  P&R fare £2.00 per adult, but ticket is a day rover, ie each adult pays the normal return fare.
6th January 2004:  Trial running to the full timetable starts.

See 2003 News Archive