Modern tram networks, like the expanding Midland Metro, are six times better at cutting congestion than improvements to bus services a new study has found.

The findings are published today (Wednesday 23 Feb) in a report by transport consultants Steer Davies Gleave.  It says Metro-style systems are far more likely to tempt motorists out of their cars and reduce congestion in major cities.

In the morning rush hour, around one in five tram passengers had made the switch from their car – compared to between 4% and 6.5% persuaded on to public transport by bus improvement schemes.  In Birmingham there are now more commuters using public transport than travel by car and extra rush hour trams have been added to cope with demand.

The study reviewed the performance of the seven operational light rail systems in the UK, including trams in Manchester, Sheffield, London and Nottingham as well as the Midland Metro.  It found they were all popular with passengers and ran at or near capacity during peak periods.  Together they take more than 22 million car journeys off the road every year, have played an important part in regeneration and have boosted property values along the corridors they serve.

“Although better bus services are key to any credible strategy for tackling urban congestion, this report shows that for many busy corridors the tram beats the bus every time,” says Kieran Preston, chair of the Passenger Transport Executives Group (pteg), which commissioned the study called ‘What light rail can do for cities’.

The findings will be used by pteg in its evidence to the Commons Transport Select Committee inquiry into the future of modern trams in the UK. (link)