There are eleven Light Rail and Rapid Transit systems in Great Britain using rail based vehicles on their network. Light Rail systems use trams that can be used on the streets shared with people and vehicles. Rapid Transit systems are segregated from non-rail based systems. This page contains information about those systems that are currently in operation, showing recent network changes plus proposals to expand them or add further networks.
Two networks are not included in this list because they are integrated with the National Rail network. Merseyrail and Crossrail are usually sometimes classified as rapid transit systems, exhibiting the characteristics of a rapid transit network. However, the systems are accommodated through the national rail ticketing system, which separates them from the other systems listed below.
Opened Systems
System | Latest news on system expansion |
Blackpool Tram | Click here |
Croydon Tramlink | Click here |
Docklands Light Railway | Click here |
Edinburgh Tram | Click here |
Glasgow Subway | |
London Underground | Click here |
Manchester Metrolink | Click here |
Nottingham Express Transit | Click here |
Sheffield Supertram | Click here |
Tyne and Wear Metro | Click here |
West Midlands Metro | Click here |
Proposed Systems
- Coventry Very Light Rail
- Leeds Tram
- Mersey Tram
- Bristol Tram/Underground
- Bath Tram
- Glasgow Rapid Transit
- Preston Tram
- Kent-Essex Tram
Proposed Extensions
Not confirmed
- Birmingham Eastside
- East Birmingham and Solihull
- Bakerloo Line Extension (Lewisham and beyond)
- Metropolitan Line Extension (Croxley Rail Link)
- DLR (Thamesmead)
Confirmed/Under Construction
Docklands Light Railway
New Stop: Thameside West (Thameside Wharf) – Date TBC
Sheffield Supertram
New Stop: Magna, Rotherham – Date TBC
West Midlands Metro
Wednesbury to Brierley Hill – 2023
Edinburgh Tram
Newhaven Tram Extension – 2023
New Stops: Picardy Place, McDonald Road, Balfour Street, Foot of the Walk, The Shore, Port of Leith, Ocean Terminal, Newhaven
West Midlands Metro
Hagley Road Extension (Westside phase 2) – 2022
New Stops: Brindleyplace, Five Ways, Hagley Road
Luton Airport DART
New System – 2022
New Stops: Luton Airport, Luton Airport Parkway
Blackpool Tram
Blackpool North Extension – 2022
New Stops: Talbot Square, Blackpool North
West Midlands Metro
Wolverhampton City Centre Extension – 2022
New Stops: Pipers Row, Wolverhampton Railway Station
Opened
2021
London Underground
Battersea Northern Line Extension – Autumn 2021
New Stops: Battersea, Nine Elms
2020
Manchester Metrolink
Trafford Centre Extension – 22 March 2020
New Stops: Wharfside, Imperial War Museum North, Village, Parkway, EventCity, Trafford Centre
2019
West Midlands Metro
Birmingham City Centre – Centenary Square (2 stops) – 11 December
2018
Sheffield Supertram
Parkgate (Rotherham) plus Tinsley Chord – 25 October
2017
Manchester Metrolink
Second City Crossing – 26 February
2016
West Midlands Metro
Birmingham City Centre – Grand Central (2 stops) – 30 May
2015
Manchester Metrolink
Exchange Square – 6 December
West Midlands Metro
Birmingham City Centre – Bull Street – 6 December
Nottingham Tram
Lines 2 and 3 to Toton Lane and Clifton South – 25 August
2014
Manchester Metrolink
Phase 3 to Manchester Airport (15 stops) – 3 November
Edinburgh Tram
*New System* York Place to Edinburgh Airport (16 stops) – 31 May
Manchester Metrolink
Phase 3 Rochdale Town Centre – 31 March
Phase 3 Oldham Town Centre – 27 January
2013
Manchester Metrolink
Phase 3 to Ashburys (5 stops) – 9 October
Phase 3 to East Didsbury (5 stops) – 23 May 2013
Phase 3 to Rochdale Railway Station – 28 February
Phase 3 to Droylsden (8 stops) – 11 February
2012
Manchester Metrolink
Phase 3 to Shaw and Crompton – 16 December
Phase 3 to Oldham Mumps – 13 June
2011
Manchester Metrolink
Phase 3 to St Werburgh’s Road (3 stops) – 7 July
2010
Manchester Metrolink
MediaCityUK (1 stop) – 20 September
2004
Nottingham Tram
*New System* Station Street to Hucknall and Phoenix Park – 9 March
2000
Manchester Metrolink
Phase 2 to Eccles (4 stops) – 21 July
Croydon Tramlink
10 May 2000
1999
Manchester Metrolink
Phase 2 to Broadway (6 stops) – 6 December 1999
West Midlands Metro
30 May 1999