Sheffield’s University to Cathedral tramline re-opened today after a period of mechanical failure and track repairs.
The line that connects the University stop to Sheffield Cathedral usually stops at West Street and City Hall, and has been closed since February 6th to allow for track repairs after an incident on West Street.
Passengers who had purchased tickets for the trams, such as day or week passes, were free to use them on replacement bus service.
Trams were also suspended between Middlewood and University for a short period on Wednesday.
The impact on tram services has arguably made travelling into Sheffield more difficult for groups such as the disabled, with a quick route from the outskirts of the city into the centre becoming more difficult.
There was also a suspension in services between Shalesmoor and Cathedral that allowed for the track repairs to take place – taking away five regular stops including Shalesmoor and Netherthorpe Road.
Sheffield tram users were in good spirits seeing that the public transport was back in service after a few days of absence.
While waiting at the Cathedral stop, Emma Bolland said: “I rely on trams quite a lot.
“It’s my main method of transport, but luckily there is a bus I can take; it just gets in a bit later.”
Another Supertram user, Adam Parkinson, said: “It’s been a real pain – getting the tram is a lifesaver especially with the buses so unreliable at the moment.
“It’s good to see the trams back to usual service, fingers crossed there aren’t any more changes.”
Supertram ownership is to be taken into full public control in March of next year, after Stagecoach’s contract expires.
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard announced the change in October last year, bringing the tram service under public control for the first time since 1997.
Coppard noted at the time that the move to public ownership comes at a time when passengers are using services differently after the pandemic.
Coppard stated: “Our long-term aim must be to see a region-wide tram network that is fully public and democratised.”