Consultation on the future of Supertram

25th September 2018

A consultation is being launched to ask residents, visitors, community groups and businesses across the Sheffield City Region for their views about the future of Supertram.

For over 20 years, Supertram has been connecting high numbers of people to jobs, education, retail and leisure opportunities in Sheffield. Making over 12 million passenger journeys a year, it plays an important role in the wider public transport network and is recognised as an attractive, reliable and efficient mode of travel. Later this year the new Tram Train pilot scheme will commence, expanding the network by providing three additional services per hour linking Rotherham and Parkgate Retail Centre with Sheffield City Centre and the tram network. Subject to a successful pilot scheme, consideration would be given to extending the network to other parts of the region. To allow Supertram to operate beyond 2024 around £230m of investment would be needed for renewal and/or maintenance of rail and rolling stock. This would secure the future of the network for around 30 years. It is anticipated that the majority of this funding would be secured from the Department for Transport (DfT). Feedback from the consultation will form part of the business case that will be submitted to the DfT. As part of this business case all possible options need to be explored and consulted on, including alternative forms of transport. This could involve decommissioning of the existing tram network and the introduction of new bus services. Once consultation and a full appraisal has been completed, a preferred option for the system will be considered by the Combined Authority and submitted to Government. A report detailing the Mass Transit Strategy was shared at the Combined Authority meeting earlier this month and the Leaders were made aware that this consultation would be starting. Sheffield City Region (SCR) is working with South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive to establish what the future of the Supertram system might look like. The consultation opens on Monday 24 September and runs until Monday 5 November. The consultation seeks views on three options: Maintaining Supertram as it is through ongoing essential repairs Renewing and modernising Supertram's tracks, vehicles and information systems Exploring alternative options to Supertram We are encouraging as many people as possible to have their say in this consultation and we would like you to help us promote the consultation and encourage people to have their say too. For more information about the proposals on the future of Supertram and to take part visit: www.travelsouthyorkshire.com/futuretram Paper copies are available from an Interchange Customer Service desk which are located: Sheffield Interchange, Archway Centre, Pond Square, Sheffield, S1 2BD Meadowhall Interchange, Meadowhall Road, Sheffield, S9 1EP Hillsborough Interchange, 540 Langsett Road, Hillsborough, Sheffield, S6 2LX Arundel Gate Interchange, 30 Arundel Gate, Sheffield, S1 2PP Rotherham Interchange (Forge Island), Corporation Street, Rotherham, S60 1NG Doncaster Frenchgate Interchange, Off Trafford Way, Doncaster, DN1 1PJ Barnsley Interchange, Eldon Street North, Barnsley, S70 1SE