CONTINENTAL-style tram-trains are to go on trial on South Yorkshire railway lines – and could even run on Supertram tracks, the Government has announced.
The train-trams will be tried out on South Yorkshire rail lines within two years.
The Department for Transport has announced the continental-style vehicles will be trialled on the Penistone Line between Sheffield, Barnsley and Huddersfield in the
next two years and will replace conventional trains currently used on the 37-mile line.
The two-year trial will test the suitability and popularity of the tram-trains and will be the first time the new type of vehicle has been seen in the UK.
The tram-trains use less fuel than conventional trains and are faster.
The trial, due to start in 2010, will look at the environmental benefits, operating costs and technical suitability of the tram-trains as well as testing how popular the vehicles are with passengers on the route.
There is also an option for a second phase which would test the vehicles on the Sheffield Supertram system to see what additional benefits the vehicles can deliver when extended on to city centre tram lines.
Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly said: "Passenger feedback is a vital ingredient in determining the success of the trial and I look forward to hearing what the people of Yorkshire think about the comfort and reliability of tram-trains."
What do you think? Add your comment below.Main news indexThe full article contains 251 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.
