Trams on track to win up to three awards

Edinburgh Trams has been shortlisted to win in three categories at the Global Light Rail Awards.

The company is shortlisted for the UK Operator of the Year at the Global Light Rail Awards, the Most Improved System and the Best Customer Initiative Award.

The final award is for the way that the tram company interacted with Taylor Swift fans who came to Scottish Gas Murrayfield.

To date the tram operator had its busiest day on 26 August 2023 when it carried more than 56,000 passengers in one day. Patronage increased by 92.1% from 2022 to 2023 when the new line to Newhaven opened and 9.183 million passengers used the tram in 2023.

The company says that the tram is now the “preferred travel choice” for anyone travelling to events at Murrayfield. It also says that with the line to Newhaven the passenger profile is younger with “evening services catering for people accessing the night time economy in Leith and the City Centre”.

Lea Harrison, Managing Director, Edinburgh Trams, said: “Coming so soon after success in another competition that saw us named as Team of the Year at the Scottish Transport Awards, this recognition from colleagues in the light rail sector is something our entire team can be really proud of.

“We’ll be facing some stiff competition at the awards in October, but to be leading contenders in three different categories is a fantastic achievement in itself, and one that reflects the continued popularity of our network with both Edinburgh residents and the millions of visitors the city attracts every year.”

The winners of the Global Light Rail Awards will be announced at a gala event in London.