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

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