NET (Nottingham) Tram Discussion

[800001]

No reason has really been given for the service suspension.

I love how 'all NCT buses are accepting tickets'- I'd love to see how far you could use that. I'm on the NCT bus to Newark this morning but decided not to try and use my tram ticket

The reason is in bbc news website from an article showing time of 08:19.
The reason given is 'All Nottingham Express Transit (NET) tram services have been cancelled due to "network-wide" power and communications issues.'.

Nottingham trams services cancelled across entire network

It comes after services were affected on Friday by damage to overhead lines.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[GraphitProjekt]

I recall the network wide communications thing coming up before, but not power. Is that power at the depot systems then?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Feb 2026 ==

I can't imagine yesterday's OLE woes are especially connected to this

 

[tram21]

The depot has its own power supply, but the line from the depot has been off since Thursday so trams have been stalled away from the depot. Unless its a total coincidence, I'd imagine the attempts to rectify the power issue on the mainline knocked out the depot power, so therefore the control room wouldn't work?

There's an update and all trams are now returning to depot (after being stranded across the network) before they will attempt to resume services.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Feb 2026 ==

Trams are now running a limited service now to all destinations.

 

[Amos390]

Trams are now running a limited service now to all destinations.

Yes, just saw a tram at Nottingham station, don’t seem very frequent though still.

 

[tram21]

The overhead line has failed again in the Basford area, the same place as it did exactly 2 weeks ago today, causing chaos for 3 days after.

There is currently no services between David Lane and The Forest.

I assume the wind has damaged the temporary fix, apparently there has been a coasting only restriction and a TSR through the area

 

[Amos390]

Had a careers fair at school today, in which NET where in attendance, and they were taking questions. I asked them about team 228, to which they responded it’d be out of action for about 4 months as the dining process involves completely stripping all parts from the tram to check for internal damage to the undercarriage, then the tram is entirely reassembled pretty much.

 

[tram21]

Had a careers fair at school today, in which NET where in attendance, and they were taking questions. I asked them about team 228, to which they responded it’d be out of action for about 4 months as the dining process involves completely stripping all parts from the tram to check for internal damage to the undercarriage, then the tram is entirely reassembled pretty much.

Any other interesting questions asked?
Good to see their doing stuff like this.

 

[Amos390]

Any other interesting questions asked?
Good to see their doing stuff like this.

Not from me, maybe from other people though. They did say to someone else that they couldn’t give details about the investigation into what happened (understandably) after someone asked what happened.

 

[Mag_seven]

To kick things off with a thread regarding NET Tram operations, as there isn't currently one:

A rail break at Nottingham Station is causing disruption this evening, with no service between Nottingham Station and Old Market Square. The disruption began right at the start of peak service, affecting many people including my journey. I'd be surprised if it's fixed this evening, but we'll see...

This is the 5th rail break in the UK this week, with Sheffield and Manchester having two each. Must be the cold temperatures!
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/162DLroqfo/


In other news, looks like engineering works are coming up at Wilford Lane, with the ballast having been damaged there from flooding.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c04nl034310o



Planned engineering works are also taking place later this month, fixing a broken point at Wilkinson Street which currently has a 5kph speed restriction.

https://www.thetram.net/planned-maintenance

Thread reopened at the request of @tram21

 

[tram21]

A strike by workers at NET are causing chaos over the next week.

Following months of talks with the GMB Union, no resolution was found. The strikes are targeting Goose Fair (very popular) and the Robin Hood Marathon, with completely no service on 4 days, and an overtime ban in between.

Personally I think the strike is a little odd. NET have offered 3.3% pay rise, but the GMB are asking for 4.1%. There's not a big difference there.
NET will be losing millions over the 10 days of goose fair, which is normally by far the busiest week of the year for the trams. Workers will also be losing a lot with so much overtime being available through the week, they can earn significantly more than a normal week.

I think its odd that:
1) they've targeted this week, but the union has said they 'didn't want to but we're left with no choice'
2) there is no tram service on any days of the strike. I'm familiar with the company and there are more than enough qualified managers and workers that aren't part of the union to at least offer a very limited service. Even just a shuttle Nottingham Station- The Forest would at least work a little. AND prove to the GMB they can't shut the city down
3) no resolution was come to. Both three and two years ago a similar strike was threatened. But just before goose fair, they came to a compromise because it would be a disaster for both sides for a strike to take place.

The messaging from the union has been strange too. There's been very little said by either side about the strikes. You'd think the GMB would at least try to justify it!

Either way, it's a disaster for the city in terms of tourism and for the marathon, which is one of the largest events of the year, the tram being a lifeline with all roads closed. I can imagine with connectivity from the rail/bus station to Goose Fair being poor without the tram, many people would be put off from visiting the Fair, which generates a lot for the city.

 

[psmith2023]

A strike by workers at NET are causing chaos over the next week.

Following months of talks with the GMB Union, no resolution was found. The strikes are targeting Goose Fair (very popular) and the Robin Hood Marathon, with completely no service on 4 days, and an overtime ban in between.

Personally I think the strike is a little odd. NET have offered 3.3% pay rise, but the GMB are asking for 4.1%. There's not a big difference there.
NET will be losing millions over the 10 days of goose fair, which is normally by far the busiest week of the year for the trams. Workers will also be losing a lot with so much overtime being available through the week, they can earn significantly more than a normal week.

I think its odd that:
1) they've targeted this week, but the union has said they 'didn't want to but we're left with no choice'
2) there is no tram service on any days of the strike. I'm familiar with the company and there are more than enough qualified managers and workers that aren't part of the union to at least offer a very limited service. Even just a shuttle Nottingham Station- The Forest would at least work a little. AND prove to the GMB they can't shut the city down
3) no resolution was come to. Both three and two years ago a similar strike was threatened. But just before goose fair, they came to a compromise because it would be a disaster for both sides for a strike to take place.

The messaging from the union has been strange too. There's been very little said by either side about the strikes. You'd think the GMB would at least try to justify it!

Either way, it's a disaster for the city in terms of tourism and for the marathon, which is one of the largest events of the year, the tram being a lifeline with all roads closed. I can imagine with connectivity from the rail/bus station to Goose Fair being poor without the tram, many people would be put off from visiting the Fair, which generates a lot for the city.

It's not made much of a difference buses are coping well Trent Barton and go extra buses out it's nets loss and the unions

 

[s_null]

Trams being affected more today with the works to demolish the NCP on Maid Marian Way. Buses are backed up throughout the city, so they are (or, at least, were) turning trams around at Old Market Square and the Royal Centre to prevent the trams from being caught in traffic on Market Street.

Huge intervals between services south of the city, with the real-time information at tram stops either incorrect or simply blank. I guess the same is/was true North of the city centre too.

 

[tram21]

The strike continues today and tomorrow with no tram service at all.

Naturally affecting lots of commuters, school kids etc. at a time with already lots of traffic chaos!

 

[STINT47]

The strike continues today and tomorrow with no tram service at all.

Naturally affecting lots of commuters, school kids etc. at a time with already lots of traffic chaos!

Probably not as many commuters as it would have ten years ago. I'm working from home today and have arranged my required office days around the strike. Speaking to others in my office they're doing the same.

 

[duffield]

The strike continues today and tomorrow with no tram service at all.

Naturally affecting lots of commuters, school kids etc. at a time with already lots of traffic chaos!

Tell me about it! I had a suspect knee and wanted to get as close as possible to the clinic near the station with as little walking as possible. Normally my bus would take me nearly there, but they're terminating on the other side of the city due to the car park demolition on Maid Marian Way.

So I thought I'd get the tram to the station instead, and got part way to the stop before having a "Doh!" moment when I remembered the strike.

On the plus side, the NHS clinic was great and my knee is not serious.

 

[edwin_m]

Pretty unfortunate that the tram strike coincided with Goose Fair, the start of the Maid Marian Way works, and works on the A52 Ring Road that might be pushing more traffic into the centre.

 

[tram21]

unfortunate that the tram strike coincided with Goose Fair

Despite GMB going on the news and very strangely saying the strikes hitting these dates were 'a coincidence', targeting Goose Fair & the Robin Hood marathon certainly was planned!!

 

[duffield]

Pretty unfortunate that the tram strike coincided with Goose Fair, the start of the Maid Marian Way works, and works on the A52 Ring Road that might be pushing more traffic into the centre.

And don't forget the A610 lane closures (daytime) and road closures (night) in the Stockhill Lane area. A tram from Cinderhill P&R is normally a good way to avoid driving down the A610 into the city.

 

[507 001]

Despite GMB going on the news and very strangely saying the strikes hitting these dates were 'a coincidence', targeting Goose Fair & the Robin Hood marathon certainly was planned!!

First rule of strike planning. Cause the most disruption you can with the least time away from work.

As for running a strike-breaking service with managers, this often makes things worse. You end up with dangerous overcrowding, as well as more people away from their substantive role.

 

[tram21]

As for running a strike-breaking service with managers, this often makes things worse. You end up with dangerous overcrowding, as well as more people away from their substantive role.

I assume that's why they decided to not run a service this time at all.

Also there were more people in control striking than precious.

 

[Steveoh]

More strike action announced. 25 days between now and Christmas.

 

[tram21]

More strike action announced. 25 days between now and Christmas.

That really is quite an impressive list of dates

 

[DDB]

It is almost 7% of the year. Not sure it makes financial sense to give up 7% of your wage in a dispute over pay.

 

[tram21]

It is almost 7% of the year. Not sure it makes financial sense to give up 7% of your wage in a dispute over pay.

The offer from NET is 3.3%. GMB want 4.1%.
That's a relatively small difference and surely both sides are losing more money than it would take to meet in the middle.

Its obviously all about politics and pride,especially after previous disputes that ended quickly as both sides conceded. But it does all seem very odd.

 

[Big M]

The offer from NET is 3.3%. GMB want 4.1%.
That's a relatively small difference and surely both sides are losing more money than it would take to meet in the middle.

Its obviously all about politics and pride,especially after previous disputes that ended quickly as both sides conceded. But it does all seem very odd.

Even less in their pockets when you take income tax into account. Let’s hope it doesn’t last as long as the Birmingham Bin Strike. Common sense thrown out of the window again!

 

[psmith2023]

Even less in their pockets when you take income tax into account. Let’s hope it doesn’t last as long as the Birmingham Bin Strike. Common sense thrown out of the window again!

It's if lasts that long net might as well pack up as if it's does bus companys trains etc will just provide more register more routes etc take nets customers