• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

News and entertainment worth sharing – York and North Yorkshire

  • News
  • Things to do
  • Radio
  • More
    • Food & drink
    • Business
  • About
    • Comments
    • Advertise
    • Contact us
  • Radio
  • WIN
  • Vouchers
  • Choice Awards
  • Listen live »
Selby Residents' Festival

Could these hi-tech trams be the future of transport in York?

Could these be the future of transport in York? Photograph: Coventry City Council / YouTube
Fri 12 Mar, 2021 @ 6.50 am Transport YorkMix

Could this be the future of transport in York?

It is an ultra modern version of something the city knows well: the tram. Called Very Light Rail, it is being pioneered in the city of Coventry.

The idea is to create an urban transport system at a much lower cost and with much reduced construction times than traditional tramways or light rail networks. 

Each of the vehicles can take 50 passengers – 30 standing, 20 seated. Ultimately they would run autonomously, without the need for a driver.

“The aim is to create a reliable, frequent, environmentally friendly, battery-driven hop on hop off transport system that will work in small to medium-sized towns and cities at a fraction of the cost of a traditional tram,” says Coventry City Council.

Construction of a prototype vehicle is already underway.

Rapid and reliable

This motor bus in Museum Street is overtaking a tram which is already passing a parked car. Photograph: Explore York Libraries & Archives

So should York get on board? The York Bus Forum thinks it is worth investigating.

“During the last part of the 19th and the early 20th century the primary mode of public transport in the city was our tram system, initially it was horse drawn but latterly electrified,” the forum says.

“Could developments in technology provide a possible alternative for the return to this? Could we see York repeat the successes of other cities of our size and provide a rapid, reliable rail-based mass transport system?”

Thirsk Races
Thirsk Races #Ad

To find out more they have invited Nicola Small, senior rail programme manager for Coventry City Council, to give a public talk, Very Light Rail – The future of urban travel?

If you are interested in attending, please apply for a Zoom code from [email protected] or [email protected].

City of York Council deputy leader Andy D’Agorne has already backed the idea of modern trams in the city.

He told YorkMix in 2018: “Modern electric trams are more efficient and permanent than bus routes as a long-term investment, with the mostly dedicated routes enabling them to avoid traffic congestion.”

Fri 12 Mar, 2021

Footer

YorkMix
News 01904 848 766
Email YorkMix news »
5-6 King's Court, Shambles, York  YO1 7LD
YorkMix Radio
General enquiries 01904 375 029
Studio/competitions 01904 375 030
Email YorkMix Radio »
Selby Superbowl, Bawtry Road, Selby  YO8 8NA
YorkMix is a trading name of YorkMix Media Ltd
Registered in England
Company number: 07814727
VAT number: 154 0364 34
© York Sound Ltd

Copyright © 2023 YorkMix Media Ltd

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT