Light rail and tram operators across England will receive a share of £56m in government funding to help ensure they continue to run services as coronavirus restrictions are lifted.
Transport minister Baroness Vere announced the support will be available from 20 July until next April to support Manchester Metrolink, Tyne and Wear Metro, Sheffield Supertram, Nottingham Express Transit, West Midlands Metro and Blackpool Tramway.
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 £56 million 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.”
This funding package will be the final tranche of Covid-19 related financial support to be given to the sector. The government has provided around £150m to operators to ensure services continued to run throughout the pandemic.
Chief secretary to the treasury, Steve Barclay, added: “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.
“This funding means that 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.”
