Sheffield Supertram & Tram Train news

[ALEMASTER]

The introduction of the Tram Train caused the reduction of the Purple to Cathedral to Herdings Park only & reductions in frequency have continued since.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Feb 2025 ==



Also tends to be applied on the Boxing Day & New Year’s Day service that runs Halfway to Meadowhall via Cathedral.

No relationship between Tram Train and Purple. The Tram Train uses different vehicles and staff. Purple is low frequency due to no one using it.

Green route runs directly from Halfway to Meadowhall avoiding the City Centre, it has only operated during engineering work.

Boxing Day sees "Festive Blue" which does Halfway - City Centre - Meadowhall.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Feb 2025 ==

If you'd got one of the few trams along West Street on a Friday/Saturday night (blue and yellow drop to 2 per hour in the evenings) there's always a lot of people on a night out - I suspect the infrequency of the service is more a cause of the lack of patronage, never seem to get trams that infrequently on the continent.

Evening service between City and Hillsborough via West Street is every 15 minutes, continuing beyond Hillsborough to either Middlewood (every 30 mins) or Malin Bridge (every 30 minutes).

Similar set up between City and Meadowhall South which has a tram every 15 minutes, continuing beyond Meadowhall South to either Meadowhall Interchange (every 30 minutes) or Rotherham Parkgate (every 30 minutes).

 

[splashoutradio]

Green is usually used when bits of the yellow or blue routes are diverted via the blue or yellow routes because of planned engineering work. There will normally be a page on the TSY or Supertram websites.

Brilliant. Many thanks for the inside info.

 

[JD2168]

A temporary reduced frequency of every 15 minutes each on Blue & Yellow Trams will be in affect from 10/3/25 onwards due to additional ongoing maintenance. There is no change to Tram Train & Purple route.

 

[A Challenge]

That and the fact that a lot of the people out on West Street will be students who are likely to already live nearby (the University campus is right next to West Street), and so have no reason to use public transport. That said, West Street is always full of a disappointingly large volume of taxis, which suggests there probably is demand for transport to somewhere.

Students out on West Street will not be heading back along a tram route, that is fair, the main Halls is up in Endcliffe and most of the student housing is up that way, or Hallam students south of the city.

 

[ricoblade]

A temporary reduced frequency of every 15 minutes each on Blue & Yellow Trams will be in affect from 10/3/25 onwards due to additional ongoing maintenance. There is no change to Tram Train & Purple route.

Thanks - I'll be using the Blue and maybe Yellow route on Saturday. Any idea of what the "ongoing maintenance" is please and for how long?

 

[ALEMASTER]

Thanks - I'll be using the Blue and maybe Yellow route on Saturday. Any idea of what the "ongoing maintenance" is please and for how long?

A number of trams were out of service waiting for parts to be delivered. Normal service resumes 18 March, then there is rail replacement work on the Blue route from 29 March plus closure of Tram Train route Saturday evenings to allow construction of the new station at Magna.

 

[tram21]

closure of Tram Train route Saturday evenings to allow construction of the new station at Magna

Wow is that actually finally happening?!

 

[A Challenge]

A number of trams were out of service waiting for parts to be delivered. Normal service resumes 18 March, then there is rail replacement work on the Blue route from 29 March plus closure of Tram Train route Saturday evenings to allow construction of the new station at Magna.

What's this about work from the 29th March, there's nothing on the TSY website that I can see?

Radware Captcha Page

 

[YorksLad12]

Wow is that actually finally happening?!

Yup. Though I thought it was happening a bit earlier... having been postponed from last year, the closures have been brought down to 'just' 1730-ish until 0600 on Sunday morning. There may be a shuttle bus between Parkgate and Meadowhall South for a while. If no-one uses it, it'll get canned.

Whether it'll open in time for the December 2025 timetable is another matter, but that was the plan.

 

[JD2168]

Yup. Though I thought it was happening a bit earlier... having been postponed from last year, the closures have been brought down to 'just' 1730-ish until 0600 on Sunday morning. There may be a shuttle bus between Parkgate and Meadowhall South for a while. If no-one uses it, it'll get canned.

Whether it'll open in time for the December 2025 timetable is another matter, but that was the plan.

Going to be tight to have it ready for December

 

[renegademaster]

A tram service will stop accepting card payments onboard for certain tickets to stop "misuse and fraudulent activity".

CityWide 7-Day and SYConnect 7-Day tickets for South Yorkshire's Supertram service will only be available to purchase with cash from 23 March, according to South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA).

Sheffield Supertram removes card payments for weekly tickets

Supertram will stop accepting card payments onboard for certain tickets to stop fraudulent activity.

www.bbc.com

What is the logic behind this? Do they use "transit mode" with delayed payments and people buying week tickets with empty bank accounts has become a common problem? If you do that on TfL it puts you into a unplanned overdraft normally but I guess some accounts will not have that.

 

[ALEMASTER]

Sheffield Supertram removes card payments for weekly tickets

Supertram will stop accepting card payments onboard for certain tickets to stop fraudulent activity.

www.bbc.com

What is the logic behind this? Do they use "transit mode" with delayed payments and people buying week tickets with empty bank accounts has become a common problem? If you do that on TfL it puts you into a unplanned overdraft normally but I guess some accounts will not have that.

Yes, the ticket machines the new operator uses operates on Transit model - the previous machines used when Stagecoach operated the trams were on retail model and didn't have this issue, however transactions were way too slow as a result. The changes bring tram into line with all local bus operators who do not accept card for on board sales of Travelmaster weekly tickets and it is for the same reason - the industrial scale card fraud taking place with organised criminal gangs - they get the ticket and the bank then declines the transaction, leaving the operator out of pocket. It will be a mixture of stolen cards, cards associated with empty bank accounts or travel cash cards with no money on them. Onboard sales will continue to be available for cash payers, however card payers have the choice of various apps to buy their ticket along with the Travelmaster website, self service vending machines located at bus interchanges and PayZone shops - https://www.sytravelmaster.com/where-to-buy

 

[renegademaster]

Yes, the ticket machines the new operator uses operates on Transit model - the previous machines used when Stagecoach operated the trams were on retail model and didn't have this issue, however transactions were way too slow as a result. The changes bring tram into line with all local bus operators who do not accept card for on board sales of Travelmaster weekly tickets and it is for the same reason - the industrial scale card fraud taking place with organised criminal gangs - they get the ticket and the bank then declines the transaction, leaving the operator out of pocket. It will be a mixture of stolen cards, cards associated with empty bank accounts or travel cash cards with no money on them. Onboard sales will continue to be available for cash payers, however card payers have the choice of various apps to buy their ticket along with the Travelmaster website, self service vending machines located at bus interchanges and PayZone shops - https://www.sytravelmaster.com/where-to-buy

How do the gangs even go about selling the tickets on? If find the image in my head of hooded teeenagers offering me 1 week metroriders for £2 amusing but I'm guessing it's more complex than that.
I can see the money in forging £200 weekly tickets for commuters but I'm really surprised that local passes are done in an organized manner

 

[stuartl]

How do the gangs even go about selling the tickets on? If find the image in my head of hooded teeenagers offering me 1 week metroriders for £2 less amusing but I'm guessing it's more complex than that.
I can see the money in forging £200 weekly tickets for commuters but I'm really surprised that local passes are done in an organized manner

Possibly working with small shops that resell the tickets ?

 

[zwk500]

How do the gangs even go about selling the tickets on? If find the image in my head of hooded teeenagers offering me 1 week metroriders for £2 amusing but I'm guessing it's more complex than that.
I can see the money in forging £200 weekly tickets for commuters but I'm really surprised that local passes are done in an organized manner

My guess would be they apply for a refund before the company realises the transaction hasn't gone through.

 

[ALEMASTER]

What's this about work from the 29th March, there's nothing on the TSY website that I can see?

Radware Captcha Page

details at https://www.travelsouthyorkshire.com/en-gb/newsupdates/service-changes

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Mar 2025 ==

How do the gangs even go about selling the tickets on? If find the image in my head of hooded teeenagers offering me 1 week metroriders for £2 amusing but I'm guessing it's more complex than that.
I can see the money in forging £200 weekly tickets for commuters but I'm really surprised that local passes are done in an organized manner

some will be sold, some used by criminals such as drug dealers to travel around low key.... however I cannot say I'm any expert in the subject!

 

[CaptainHaddock]

Consultation: Should dogs be allowed on Supertram?​

News - Travel South Yorkshire

Get departure times, plan a journey and find tickets and passes for bus, tram, train and tram train travel.

www.travelsouthyorkshire.com

Seems like there is a consultation about bringing dogs on board. Personally I don't really care, just as long as they don't bother me .

Bad news, dogs are now allowed on the Supertram.

Dogs to be allowed on South Yorkshire Supertram network

Passengers on South Yorkshire's tram network can now take one well-behaved pup aboard a service.

www.bbc.co.uk

As I stated in an earlier post, the Supertram passes through some of the dodgiest areas of Sheffield so expect the trams from now on to be overrun with knuckle-dragging yobs setting their staffies and XL bullies on other passengers. I'll certainly think twice about using the tram in future.

 

[ALEMASTER]

Bad news, dogs are now allowed on the Supertram.

Dogs to be allowed on South Yorkshire Supertram network

Passengers on South Yorkshire's tram network can now take one well-behaved pup aboard a service.

www.bbc.co.uk

As I stated in an earlier post, the Supertram passes through some of the dodgiest areas of Sheffield so expect the trams from now on to be overrun with knuckle-dragging yobs setting their staffies and XL bullies on other passengers. I'll certainly think twice about using the tram in future.

Do the buses in those areas that already allow dogs have that issue?

 

[ModernRailways]

Bad news, dogs are now allowed on the Supertram.

As I stated in an earlier post, the Supertram passes through some of the dodgiest areas of Sheffield so expect the trams from now on to be overrun with knuckle-dragging yobs setting their staffies and XL bullies on other passengers. I'll certainly think twice about using the tram in future.

The kind of people who would do that aren’t really the kind who would have cared about the no dogs allowed rule anyway and would’ve just taken them on.

There has also been no impact since Manchester started allowing dogs, likewise on other transport networks, TW Metro, London Underground etc where dogs are allowed. You’re catastrophising, human passengers are the biggest problem. You should see the state people leave trains (and trams) in on a Saturday evening, you’d never want to sit or touch anything on one again.

 

[renegademaster]

Bad news, dogs are now allowed on the Supertram.

Dogs to be allowed on South Yorkshire Supertram network

Passengers on South Yorkshire's tram network can now take one well-behaved pup aboard a service.

www.bbc.co.uk

As I stated in an earlier post, the Supertram passes through some of the dodgiest areas of Sheffield so expect the trams from now on to be overrun with knuckle-dragging yobs setting their staffies and XL bullies on other passengers. I'll certainly think twice about using the tram in future.

Dogs have been allowed on TfL as long as I can remember, and I never really felt it was an issue in Croydon and CR0(New Addington)is the post code with the most registered XL bullies in the country

 

[AY1975]

The kind of people who would do that aren’t really the kind who would have cared about the no dogs allowed rule anyway and would’ve just taken them on.

There has also been no impact since Manchester started allowing dogs, likewise on other transport networks, TW Metro, London Underground etc where dogs are allowed.

Exactly, and it does say on the Travel South Yorkshire website that aggressive dogs won't be allowed and that Supertram staff will still be able to refuse people travel at their discretion just as bus drivers can.

 

[eastwestdivide]

Signs of activity at the future Magna tram-train stop:

 

[Discuss223]

Does anyone know what the rectangle object hanging from the bogies in between the two wheels is for on the bogies of the Siemens Supertrams please? Thanks.

 

[edwin_m]

Does anyone know what the rectangle object hanging from the bogies in between the two wheels is for on the bogies of the Siemens Supertrams please? Thanks.

Sounds like the electromagnetic track brake.

 

[Gostav]

Signs of activity at the future Magna tram-train stop:

View attachment 176936

Will the new tram stop further reduce the capacity left for trains on this section?

 

[ALEMASTER]

Will the new tram stop further reduce the capacity left for trains on this section?

The existing timetable is slower than the trams are (they have superior acceleration compared to other trains on the line being both electric and lightweight) so the same journey time will be achieved even with a 30 second pause at Magna - of course the minutes in the timetable may have to be shuffled around a little.

So the simple answer is no, it won't reduce capacity - not that many trains use that section, just a few freight trains and light loco movements plus the odd Cross Country and Transpennine Express passenger trains that go that way at obscure times to keep route knowledge in for diversions!

 

[eastwestdivide]

Will the new tram stop further reduce the capacity left for trains on this section?

To add to Alemaster’s reply, it’s probably the single line section further along that‘s the capacity limiter around there.

 

[507 001]

As I stated in an earlier post, the Supertram passes through some of the dodgiest areas of Sheffield so expect the trams from now on to be overrun with knuckle-dragging yobs setting their staffies and XL bullies on other passengers. I'll certainly think twice about using the tram in future.

I’m a dog lover. I was sceptical about the plans to allow Dogs on Metrolink.


The reality is that it’s the best thing we’ve ever done.

 

[ALEMASTER]

Area 1 of the 2025 rail replacement programme is currently underway with Blue route trams towards Halfway terminating at Birley Lane and a replacement bus connecting on to Halfway. Inbound trams towards City/Malin Bridge will depart from the outbound platform at Birley Lane and cross over. This work is planned to run until 13 April.

Area 2 is just over the Easter weekend, 18 to 20 April. That sees the Blue and Yellow route towards Middlewood and Malin Bridge closed beyond Shalesmoor with services terminating at either Shalesmoor or Cathedral. At Shalesmoor inbound trams (towards City/Halfway/Meadowhall) will depart from the outbound platform, run single line for a short distance then cross over.

In addition to the above the Tram Train service is not operating on Network Rail metals after 1730hrs each Saturday to allow for work taking place in connection with the construction of the new Magna station along with drainage improvement work. Buses are replacing trams between Meadowhall South and Parkgate during these times.

https://www.travelsouthyorkshire.com/en-GB/supertram/Supertram-Network-Improvements

 

[JD2168]

The next batch of rail replacement work has started today again in the Langsett Road area near Hillsborough. Trams are running Cathedral to Meadowhall, Cathedral to Halfway & normal on Tram Train & Purple.

2 replacements are running, one to Middlewood run by City Transport with a number of the ex First York/Aberdeen Mercedes Benz Citaro bendy buses & TM Travel to Malin Bridge