Supertram confirms phased increase in services to support the region

Stagecoach Supertram, in partnership with Sheffield City Region and the SYPTE, has confirmed that it will be increasing tram services from Sunday 14 June to support the region as more people return to work and retail facilities start to re-open.

The step up in services follows the announcement by the UK Government of a bus, tram and light rail restart programme.

Tram services will increase to around 80% of pre-COVID-19 levels, with a 15 minute frequency on Yellow and Blue routes during the daytime on Mondays to Saturdays, starting from Monday 15 June.

Social distancing measures remain in place on all tram services, meaning there is significantly less capacity on each individual tram.  Customers are advised to plan their journey to avoid traditionally busier times, and allow more time for journeys.

Tim Bilby, Managing Director for Stagecoach Supertram, said: “Supertram continues to play a critical role in South Yorkshire’s public transport network and we are very proud of the efforts of all of our employees for their work in helping the region to keep moving.

“We are pleased to be increasing our timetable, offering significantly more frequent services as people start to return to work and retail facilities start to re-open.

“The safety of our customers and employees remains our top priority. The measures we have in place to support social distancing, and our extensive cleaning regimes, will help to ensure that customers can travel on our trams with confidence. Whilst social distancing remains in place, there will be less capacity on each tram so we would urge people to plan their journey to avoid busier times and allow more time for journeys.

“Public transport will continue to play a crucial role in the country’s recovery ahead. As well as helping to restart our economy, it is vital in bringing normality back to many areas of our daily lives, keeping families and communities connected and contributing towards a safer, cleaner and healthier region.

“We will continue to work with our partners in Sheffield on longer term plans to restore our full timetables and capacity.”

Dan Jarvis, Mayor of the Sheffield City Region, said: “I’m glad to see the tram network is increasing its services. This will help enable those who need to travel to do so safely, with social distancing measures in place.

“As lockdown restrictions are eased by Government and more people return to work and school, the pressures on South Yorkshire’s transport system will grow. I’m therefore calling on people to use common sense and avoid unnecessary travel, to help stop the spread of Coronavirus.

“People should only use public transport when other methods of travel such as walking or cycling are not possible, so our buses, trams and trains can be used safely by our key workers and those who cannot work from home.”

Tim Taylor, SYPTE Director of Customer Services, added: “We are pleased Supertram services will increase from 14 June, to help people that need to travel to get to where they need to be, as the region starts to recover from Covid-19. As restrictions are eased by Government, we are reminding people to only use South Yorkshire’s public transport network when absolutely necessary. Social distancing remains in place and services can only take a fraction of the passengers they did before. 

“The safety of passengers and staff remains our priority and we can all play our part to help people who have no alternative to public transport to be able to travel safely. You must wear face coverings on public transport from 15 June. People can also think about how and when they travel, avoiding the busiest times to reduce pressure on services.”

In line with the latest UK government advice, face coverings will be compulsory when travelling on all public transport from 15 June.

For more information on Supertram timetables, visit supertram.com.

ENDS