South Yorkshire Supertram

This article is about the tram network which opened in 1994. For the trams which operated in Sheffield between 1873 and 1960, see Sheffield Tramway.

South Yorkshire Supertram
A Siemens-Duewag Supertram, operating a service to Halfway, seen in July 2010.
A Siemens-Duewag Supertram, operating a service to Halfway, seen in July 2010.
A schematic map of the Supertram network.
A schematic map of the Supertram network.
Overview
OwnerSouth Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority
Area served
Locale
Transit type
Number of lines4
Number of stations50
Annual ridership
  • 8.4 million (2022/23)
  • Increase 21.7%[1]
Headquarters
Operation
Began operation21 March 1994; 30 years ago (1994-03-21)
Operator(s)South Yorkshire Future Trams
Number of vehicles
Technical
System length34.6 km (21.5 mi)
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Electrification750 V DC overhead line
Top speed55 mph (89 km/h)

The South Yorkshire Supertram,[b] sometimes referred to as the Sheffield Supertram, is a tram and tram-train network covering Sheffield and Rotherham in South Yorkshire, England. The network is owned and operated by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA).[c]

Interest in building a modern tram system for Sheffield had mounted during the 1980s. After detailed planning by South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE), the Supertram proposal was approved by Act of Parliament in 1991. Construction of the network, incorporating several existing heavy rail sections as well as new track, was carried out in sections, allowing revenue services to start during 1994. Early operations, hindered by a complex ticketing system and the initially small coverage area, had disappointing ridership figures.[2] In an effort to turn around the performance, operations were privatised to Stagecoach in 1997, at price of £1.15 million, who took over from South Yorkshire Supertram Limited. After management and operational changes, and further expansion of the system, ridership numbers rose considerably.[2] In March 2024, the network returned to public ownership as the concession awarded to Stagecoach came to an end.

From 2008, interest had been expressed in hybrid tram-train operations, which would be able to use sections of the mainline rail network as well as tramways. During 2012 an experimental trial was planned, as this was to be the first deployment of tram-trains anywhere in the United Kingdom. The start of tram-train operations, using a purpose-built fleet of new Class 399 Stadler Citylink electric multiple units, was repeatedly delayed, but on 25 October 2018, operations of the new tram-train line commenced.[3]

The Supertram network now consists of 50 stations across four colour-coded lines, the Blue, Purple, Yellow and Tram-Train (Black) routes, which connect with local and national bus and rail services and six park and ride sites.[4]


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  1. ^ "Light rail and tram statistics, England: year ending March 2023". GOV.UK. Department for Transport. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Sheffield Supertram’s logical progression" Rail 9 December 2015
  3. ^ "Supertram | Tram Train". www.stagecoachbus.com. Archived from the original on 21 October 2018. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  4. ^ About Supertram Stagecoach Supertram