Press Release - Improving public transport in England through
light rail
23 April 2004
Modern light rail systems, such as Croydon Tramlink and
Manchester Metrolink, have brought significant benefits to
passengers, according to a report Parliament by the head of the
National Audit Office, Sir John Bourn. They deliver fast, frequent
and reliable services and provide a comfortable and safe journey.
Their modern look and attractive services have enhanced the image
of the cities where they have been built. However, since 1980 only
seven systems have been built, systems are not attracting as many
passengers or delivering as many benefits as they should, several
are running at a financial loss and construction costs are
rising.
The government envisaged that up to 25 new lines could be built
by 2010; 12 new lines are being developed but major barriers are
preventing further expansion. The main barriers are affordability
and value for money. The costs of proposed new systems are higher
than the costs of existing systems and are rising; they must be
brought down if many more systems are to be built.
Although the Department for Transport expects systems to be
self-financing, four systems have been running at a financial loss,
mainly because passenger numbers and hence revenues have been well
below those forecast. Passenger numbers have fallen well short of
expectations: for example, by 38 per cent on the Midland Metro and
45 per cent on the Sheffield Supertram. Losses are discouraging the
private sector from investing in new lines.
According to today’s report, systems could have delivered more
benefits. Passenger numbers, and therefore passenger benefits, have
fallen short of expectations. Systems are not fully integrated with
other forms of public transport, especially buses and have had
little impact on reducing road congestion. Through-ticketing
arrangements are inadequate and not enough use has been made of
complementary services such as park and ride schemes.
Systems take too long to be put in place. It takes on average
nearly two years for local authorities to be granted the required
legal powers. Approval for an extension to the Leeds Supertram
system took almost four and a half years. The Department has
increased staff resources for handling applications for legal
powers and is taking steps to speed up statutory procedures. Even
after schemes have been approved by the government it can still
take over eight years before they are opened.
The report points out differences between systems in England and
those in France and Germany, where there are more systems carrying
more passengers. Systems in France and Germany connect major places
of activity, such as hospitals and universities – not always the
case in England, although new proposals for lines are expected to
do more of this. French and German systems are fully integrated
with other forms of transport, with buses, for example, feeding the
light rail systems as well as serving non-light rail routes. French
and German systems are also heavily subsidised by local transport
authorities. In France, local authorities also have access to local
taxes specifically for transport projects such as light rail
schemes.
Today’s report recommends that the Department for Transport
should work with the industry to reduce the costs of light rail
systems through, for example, greater standardisation in the design
of systems, vehicles and methods of construction. The Department
should also require promoters to integrate their schemes better
with other modes of transport; encourage more passengers to use
their systems through, for example, park and ride schemes; and make
the speed and punctuality of services more attractive by, for
example, giving priority to trams over road vehicles at key
junctions.
Sir John Bourn said today,
"Light rail systems have improved the quality and choice
of public transport, by offering fast, reliable and frequent
services. Systems need to be better integrated with other modes of
transport, however, to attract more passengers and help to reduce
urban congestion. And if more systems are to secure private sector
investment, construction costs must be brought down and operations
placed on a sound financial footing."
Notes for Editors
- Since 1980 some £2.3 billion has been invested in light rail,
of which the government has contributed over £1 billion. The
Department has so far agreed to contribute some £1.4 billion to 12
new lines by 2010.
- Six systems have been running in England for several years: the
Tyne and Wear Metro (opened in 1980-84), the Docklands Light
Railway (1987), the Manchester Metrolink (1992), the Sheffield
Supertram (1994-95), the Midland Metro (1999) and the Croydon
Tramlink (2000). Since their opening, the Tyne and Wear Metro,
Docklands Light Railway and the Manchester Metrolink have been
extended. A seventh system, the Nottingham Express Transit, opened
in March 2004. Schemes currently under development include the
Liverpool Merseytram, the Leeds Supertram and the South Hampshire
Rapid Transit.
- Press notices and reports are available from the date of
publication on the NAO website, which is now at
www.nao.org.uk.Hard copies can be obtained from
The Stationery Office on 0845 702 3474.
- The Comptroller and Auditor General, Sir John Bourn, is the
head of the National Audit Office which employs some 800 staff. He
and the NAO are totally independent of Government. He certifies the
accounts of all Government departments and a wide range of other
public sector bodies; and he has statutory authority to report to
Parliament on the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which
departments and other bodies have used their resources.
Press Notice 33/04
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