DfT statistics on light rail and tram systems in England are collected to inform the development and monitoring of light rail policy. Figures are updated annually and present information on usage, infrastructure and revenue for the 8 systems which are urban and primarily surface-running.

Latest light rail and tram statistics

• In 2011/12, there were 204 million passenger journeys on light rail and tram systems in England, the highest annual figure recorded and continuing the upward trend of recent years.
• Since 2004/05, the first full year when all current systems were in operation, light rail journeys have grown by nearly 60 per cent in London, but remained broadly stable outside London.
• Around 2.5 per cent of all public transport journeys in Great Britain are made on light rail systems.

Statistical releases within this series

• Light rail and tram statistical releases

Statistical tables within this series

• Light rail and tram statistical tables

• Index sheet of light rail and tram statistics

• Workbook containing all the latest light rail and tram statistical tables

• Tables on light rail usage
• Tables on light rail infrastructure
• Tables on light rail revenue
• Tables on underground systems

• Table showing light rail alongside other transport modes
• Section on public transport (including light rail) from Transport Statistics Great Britain

Request for user feedback

If you have any comments or queries about our statistics please let us know using the contact details below or completing the short online feedback form here. We are keen to learn more about our users’ needs and experiences, to help us improve the usefulness of our statistics where possible.

Background information

Data are derived from the Department’s annual survey of the operators of the 8 systems covered which are Blackpool Tramway, Croydon Tramlink, Docklands Light Railway, Manchester Metrolink, Midland Metro, Nottingham Express Transit, Sheffield Supertram and Tyne and Wear Metro. Underground systems in London and Glasgow, and many other smaller systems such as funiculars, airport transport systems and heritage railways are not included.

Figures relating to the London and Glasgow underground systems are presented separately (in tables LRT9901 and LRT9902), and are updated alongside or shortly after the publication of the light rail and tram statistics.

For further information about the systems covered and data sources, please refer to the notes and definitions document.

• Notes and definitions (PDF – 55 KB)
• Light rail survey questionnaire (PDF – 23 KB)

National Statistics

The light rail and tram statistics are National Statistics. Figures relating to underground systems are outside the scope of National Statistics but are included to provide wider context. These statistics are currently being assessed by the United Kingdom Statistics Authority (UKSA) to determine their compliance with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. An assessment report was published in June 2012 (Report 221).

• Assessment of compliance with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics (PDF – 151 KB)

Pre-release access lists

These statistics are National Statistics. The post holders given access to the statistics up to 24 hours prior to release are available in the Pre-release Access List.

• Pre-release access list (PDF – 10 KB)

Related links

• DfT report on light rail published September 2011
• Bus statistics
• Rail statistics

Contact us

• bus.statistics@dft.gsi.gov.uk
• Phone: 020 7944 3094