Light rail systems in England recorded their highest ever passenger figures in 2015-16, according to the Department for Transport (DfT). Overall, 252 million passenger journeys were made on light rail systems, a 5.8% increase on 2014-15.

The busiest systems were Docklands Light Railway (116.9 million journeys and a 6.1% rise on 2014-15) and Tyne & Wear Metro (40.3 million journeys and a 5.7% increase in passenger numbers). Manchester Metrolink was third in the table (34.3 million passengers, up 10.1%), followed by London Tramlink (27 million passengers). 

  • For more on this, read RAIL 803, published on June 22.