NET (Nottingham) Tram Discussion

[Robertj21a]

I agree, people who live on the outer parts of Nottingham/Derbyshire deserve a route too, especially with bus service becoming less frequent and sometimes ceasing to exist.. Possibly a route via Gotham and Kegworth? Even then, an extension towards the airport is unlikely to happen for many years.

Surely, there's no likelihood whatsoever of the tram going to EMA, there's just too little there (even the regular buses take few passengers). Much the same for Derby, no chance in next 10-20+ years.
I'd much rather they concentrated on getting the current system more reliable, there's problems or cancellations somewhere virtually every day.

 

[trentbartonfan]

Surely, there's no likelihood whatsoever of the tram going to EMA, there's just too little there (even the regular buses take few passengers). Much the same for Derby, no chance in next 10-20+ years.
I'd much rather they concentrated on getting the current system more reliable, there's problems or cancellations somewhere virtually every day.

The only reason I thought of that is because of the lack of buses in the area.

I remember once when my friend told me that they had cancelled two in a row from Clifton South. Just leaves people stranded, no wonder why tram use is down.

 

[edwin_m]

The only reason I thought of that is because of the lack of buses in the area.

If there isn't enough patronage to support buses, then why does spending hundreds of millions on a tram make sense?

 

[tram21]

there's problems or cancellations somewhere virtually every day.

There's really not many problems. Yes a few peak services are cancelled but there's a tram 7 mins max either side.

Service suspensions are pretty rare.

 

[Robertj21a]

There's really not many problems. Yes a few peak services are cancelled but there's a tram 7 mins max either side.

Service suspensions are pretty rare.

Fair enough but NET themselves seem to regularly list problems, parts of routes that can't be served, accidents etc. In tram system terms Nottingham is small, just 2 cross-city routes - they could do with building some confidence with potential travellers.

 

[duffield]

Fair enough but NET themselves seem to regularly list problems, parts of routes that can't be served, accidents etc. In tram system terms Nottingham is small, just 2 cross-city routes - they could do with building some confidence with potential travellers.

It's difficult to stop idiots driving onto the segregated track sections and getting stuck, despite the extensive signage and bollards; also difficult to stop idiot drivers just driving straight into trams, or to stop general RTAs happening on or near the tracks. All these factors completely outside of the tram operator's control add up to a good percentage of the problems.

 

[Robertj21a]

It's difficult to stop idiots driving onto the segregated track sections and getting stuck, despite the extensive signage and bollards; also difficult to stop idiot drivers just driving straight into trams, or to stop general RTAs happening on or near the tracks. All these factors completely outside of the tram operator's control add up to a good percentage of the problems.

Perhaps it's that they routinely advise the publlic of every problem?. I don't recall hearing that much about problems on the bigger systems (i.e Manchester, Sheffield etc), but that could simply be that they don't broadcast each and every issue.
.

 

[tram21]

Perhaps it's that they routinely advise the publlic of every problem?. I don't recall hearing that much about problems on the bigger systems (i.e Manchester, Sheffield etc), but that could simply be that they don't broadcast each and every issue.
.

Yes I think that's probably right. Manchester only show it on the Bee Network app, so you'd have to check that constantly. Sheffield seem to constantly publish cancellations.

NET are good at announcing issues.

 

[duffield]

Perhaps it's that they routinely advise the publlic of every problem?. I don't recall hearing that much about problems on the bigger systems (i.e Manchester, Sheffield etc), but that could simply be that they don't broadcast each and every issue.
.

The other thing is that because it's a pretty small network where everything goes through the same core section between David Lane and Nottingham Station, any incident on this section quickly affects all services, so it is quite fragile.

 

[edwin_m]

The other thing is that because it's a pretty small network where everything goes through the same core section between David Lane and Nottingham Station, any incident on this section quickly affects all services, so it is quite fragile.

With the partial exception of Manchester, every UK tram system relies on a single set of tracks through the city centre.

 

[Meerkat]

Surely, there's no likelihood whatsoever of the tram going to EMA, there's just too little there (even the regular buses take few passengers). Much the same for Derby, no chance in next 10-20+ years.
I'd much rather they concentrated on getting the current system more reliable, there's problems or cancellations somewhere virtually every day.

Not a local, but my thought was that it would be a fast run to the Ratcliffe development and East Midlands Parkway, a stop just to the west of Kegworth serving there and the logistics park north of the airport, before going into the airport. ie connecting things to the station and people to employment rather than just just connecting those places into the city centre. Some serious engineering needed though.

From the map I assumed the Chetwynd extension would just be a loop back from the current end of the line - easier and less road disruption.

The area to the North East to Gedling must feel a bit left out, but is there a route that would actually be better than the buses?

 

[duffield]

For the Chetwynd extension alone, a loop back would make a lot more sense than another "twiglet" of a branch line which would split the service between the Chetwynd and Toton termini. Although it might cost a little more to build it should be cheaper to operate with a better service for both.

But the question would then be how it would fit in with a possible Long Eaton extension subsequently.

 

[tram21]

A tram and a car have collided at Ruddington Lane, with the tram derailed.

Reported here: https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/nottingham-news/nottingham-tram-crash-updates-police-10134217

Nottingham tram crash updates as police and fire service at scene by busy crossing

Trams and buses are being affected by a crash involving a tram and car on a major Nottingham road. The NET network confirmed at 6.42pm on Friday evening (April 25) that there had been a crash, affecting services between Ruddington Lane and Clifton South.

A Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue spokesperson has confirmed that a tram and a car have crashed on Wilford Lane. Police and five fire engines are the scene.