Light rail operators across England will benefit from up to £56m
in Government funding to help ensure they continue to run vital
services as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted, Transport Minister
Baroness Vere has announced today (Friday 16 July).
The funding will run from Tuesday 20 July to April 2022 and will
support operators across the North and the Midlands: Manchester
Metrolink, Tyne and Wear Metro, Sheffield Supertram, Nottingham
Express Transit, West Midlands Metro and Blackpool Tramway.
It comes as the Government invests billions of pounds to build
back better from the pandemic and improve transport links across
the country.
Transport Minister Baroness Vere said:
“Light rail and tram services provide an essential service in
our towns and cities, ensuring people can get to work, school
or to see friends and family.
“This £56m funding package will allow operators to keep running
these vital services as normal in those initial months as
restrictions are lifted and passengers begin to return in
higher numbers.”
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
said:
“As our economy reopens, we’re continuing to support people and
businesses – and making sure people can get to work and use
public transport easily is crucial.
“Today’s funding means thousands of people across England can
continue to travel on public transport when they need to, and
regular services can continue as the country comes out of
restrictions.”
, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said:
“Our West Midlands Metro service has operated throughout the
pandemic and has seen patronage return very quickly each time
restrictions have been lifted. This has shown just how
important our trams are to commuters and our regional economy.
“It was critical therefore we got this latest funding from
Government, and by being the longest funding package we have
received so far it has given the West Midlands much-needed
certainty.”
The funding package announced today will be the final tranche of
Covid-related financial support to be given to the sector.
It comes after the Government has already provided around £150m
to operators to ensure services have continued to run throughout
the pandemic. The current emergency funding package will end on
Monday July 19.
Last week the Government announced a £226.5m funding package to
support bus operators across England, outside of London, through
the recovery period.
