This is why all tram trains between Sheffield and Rotherham are suspended until further notice

Stagecoach Supertram announced this morning that it had been advised by the vehicles’ manufacturer Stadler to temporarily withdraw the entire fleet.

No explanation has yet been given as to why the vehicles had to be removed from service immediately.

“A further update will be provided as soon as we have been updated by Stadler,” said the operator.

In the meantime, it said tickets are being accepted on Northern trains between Rotherham Central or Meadowhall and Sheffield.

Tickets can also be used on the following Stagecoach and First bus services:

Meadowhall / Rotherham X1, X10, X78

Rotherham Interchange / Parkgate 8, 8a, 9, 22x*, 218, 218a, 221

22a, 22c

Today’s suspension is the latest setback for the service, which has been plagued by problems since it launched in October last year, three years overdue and costing around five times the £15 million originally budgeted.

One of the tram trains was involved in a crash on the first day of service at the junction of Staniforth Road and Woodbourn Road, where there was another collision the following month.

The service has been suspended several times in recent weeks due to flooding which left Rotherham railway station submerged and because of issues with overhead power lines.

A reduced service was last month introduced while Stadler carried out improvements which Stagecoach said would ‘enhance fleet reliability’.

On the first anniversary of the service launching, Stagecoach and its partners responsible for what was the UK’s first tram train service told how pleased they were at its performance so far, saying it had ‘exceeded expectations' and other towns and cities were looking to use the technology.