Sheffield Supertram emergency funding announcement due 'shortly'

An announcement over whether Yorkshire's only city tram network will have enough funding to continue will be made in the coming days as MPs lobby the Government over its future.

The Sheffield Supertram system faced an uncertain future after metro mayor Dan Jarvis said he could not guarantee it could carry on running when funding from the Government runs out tomorrow.

The tram network covering Sheffield and Rotherham was one of five light rail services to share emergency funding in May as a response to the downturn in passenger numbers during lockdown.

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Mr Jarvis said last week that there was currently no indication from the Government that further support is coming but that and other metro mayors were lobbying Ministers.

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Along with buses and trains, the Supertram has seen a huge drop in revenue from passengers because of social distancing measures and government guidance to avoid public

The Yorkshire Post understands the most recent payment for the Sheffield tram system will keep it going until August 28, with light rail funding paid in arrears on a four-weekly basis.

A Department for Transport spokeswoman said: “To date, we've provided £2.3 million to Sheffield's tram system during the pandemic, enabling it to continue running services so that NHS staff, teachers and others can get to their place of work.

Sheffield's Supertram service has seen a massive drop in revenue since March. Pic: Chris EtchellsSheffield's Supertram service has seen a massive drop in revenue since March. Pic: Chris Etchells
Sheffield's Supertram service has seen a massive drop in revenue since March. Pic: Chris Etchells
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“We're currently reviewing funding going forward and an announcement will be made shortly.”

In May, the government announced £30m to keep trams and metro trains running for key workers for 12 more weeks, after a downturn in passenger numbers due to lockdown.

The funding was split between the Tyne and Wear Metro, Manchester Metrolink, Sheffield Supertram, Midlands Metro and Nottingham Express Transit systems.

Earlier, city MPs Clive Betts, Olivia Blake, Paul Blomfield, Gill Furniss and Louise Haigh wrote to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps to lobby him over the future of the scheme.

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