South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) today welcomed the announcement that a tram-train trial is going to take place on the Penistone Line.
The Department for Transport announced today that five new tram-train vehicles are to be introduced on the Sheffield – Barnsley – Huddersfield service in 2010. The two-year trial of these innovative lightweight vehicles will look at the environmental benefits, operating costs and technical suitability of the tram-trains as well as testing how popular the vehicles are with passengers on the route.
David Young, Head of Transport Integration at SYPTE, said: “This is great news for the region. These modern, flexible vehicles will improve the travelling experience for people using the Huddersfield – Sheffield service and offer potentially faster journey times.
“This development builds on the success we have had with the Community Rail Partnership in improving services on the Penistone Line. It will also mean investment in improving the track and signalling systems on the line.”