Edinburgh’s tramway is in the running for a range of prestigious awards at a major event celebrating excellence in the light rail sector.
Every year, the Global Light Rail Awards highlights exceptional innovation, performance and customer service across a range of categories and Edinburgh Trams has been shortlisted in five of them.
As well as nominating it for the coveted Operator of the Year title, awards judges were also impressed with the company’s entries for Best Customer Initiative, Team of the Year, Most Improved System and Project of the Year under €50m.
Lea Harrison, Edinburgh Trams Managing Director, commented:
“The fact that we’re amongst the finalists in so many categories this year is testament to the hard work of the team over the past 12 months.
“This is reflected in our efforts to wrap the business around the customer, an approach that’s seen us increase services at peak times, step up operations during the city’s many cultural and sporting events and even run night trams for the first time during the Edinburgh Festival.
“We’ve also seen customer numbers rise to 5.6 million and turned a profit a year ahead of predictions, whilst also being named as the UK’s number one transport operator for customer satisfaction by the highly respected Transport Focus organisation which gave us a near-perfect 99 per cent rating.
Transport Convener and Chair of Transport for Edinburgh, Councillor Lesley Macinnes, said:
“This is a wonderful achievement for Edinburgh Trams – to be shortlisted in as many as five categories for these prestigious awards demonstrates the service’s success in innovation, meeting customers’ needs and growing the business.
“Since launching three years ago, Edinburgh Trams has gone from strength to strength, accomplishing excellent customer satisfaction and industry recognition, as well as an increasing patronage – and all credit should go to the team behind it.
“Now, as we look to the future of the service, and how it might better serve the city, this testament to its value is particularly encouraging. Best of luck to all those involved!”
George Lowder, Chief Executive at Transport for Edinburgh added:
“The team at Edinburgh Trams work tirelessly to bring a fantastic service to residents and visitors to our city. This is further recognition for the Operator’s efforts and demonstrates the key role trams play in the city’s transport network now and in the future.
“I’m sure the judges will have some tough choices when selecting the overall winners but to be amongst the finalists for these internationally-renowned awards is a real achievement in itself.”
The winners are set to be announced at a gala event at London’s Honourable Artillery Company on Wednesday, October 4.