Sheffield trams: Picture shows trams 'rebrand' ahead of major operator change for supertram next month
Our picture reveals the subtle 'rebrand' already in place ahead of major change for Sheffield trams
It's a subtle change - but Sheffield's fleet of trams looks different.
Ahead of the private sector operator Stagecoach handing over the tram service to the public sector next month, a small but significant change has been made to the vehicles.
New pictures show how the Stagecoach branding has already been removed ahead of the switch-over on March 22.
The company's logo had previously been located just above the word supertram, but has now been stripped from the site of the tram.
Officials at the South Yorkshire Mayoral Authority say they will have a new logo launching in the future, but the actual trams themselves won’t change initially, other than the removal of the Stagecoach branding
When the trams were initially introduced, back in 1993, they were grey, but they have been changed over the years, and have been coloured to fit in with corporate advertising campaigns for businesses over the years, as well as carrying the red and blue that Stagecoach brought in.
The changes will also mean changes for some ticketing arrangements on the trams.
Passengers shared with us their views of going back switching to public control.
Passenger Christina Kocheta said: "I think it will probably improve it because it will be more public spirited perhaps than any organisation motivated more by profit."
Avdi Mohammed said: "I think it will be more on time, and I believe it will be more funded by the public. I travel every day on the tram to work, and get a lot of delay, sometimes they cancel."
Keith Naylor said: "I think it will. I remember when they were in public ownership and if it's anything like that it will be 10 times as good."
Gary Salmon said: "It will definitely improve them."
Glyn Ford said: "It depends what the commitment is to it."
Norman Roxburgh said he thought it would make a difference, but was not sure yet whether it would be for the better or the worse.