NET becomes latest official sponsor of Nottinghamshire Pride 2023

TRAMLINK, which operates Nottingham Express Transit (NET), has announced its sponsorship of this year’s Nottinghamshire Pride, which is set to take place on July 29.

NET has supported the annual event for many years, with bespoke tram timetables and travel support, to ensure the day runs as smoothly as possible for attendees. However, this year, it will be building on that with official sponsorship which includes financial support, displaying Pride flags in tram cab windows and at tram stops.

The transport service will also have a stall at this year’s event, organised by Darren Barson and Patrick Randle-Bass, two members of the NET team and organisers of its internal LGBTQ+ group. The stall will be carrying out giveaways of tram and pride related merchandise, including limited edition rainbow bags and whistles throughout the day.

The move comes in outward recognition for NET’s LGBTQ+ customers and its passionate community within its internal team. Its main aims is to not only support the event financially, but to reinforce the messaging that the event connotes; togetherness, diversity and equality.

Darren and Patrick said: “We’re extremely proud to be supporting Nottinghamshire Pride. It highlights how important it is that we are inclusive to everyone who travels with us. We want our trams to be seen by the community as somewhere everyone feels safe and not afraid to be themselves.”

Ensuring that Nottingham is the safest it can be for those attending the march and the events afterwards, NET work closely with the Nottinghamshire Pride organisers and Nottingham City Council on specialised plans for the running of the trams.

Trevor Stocker, Head of Operations at NET said: “The safety of our customers and the public attending Nottinghamshire Pride is one of the most important parts of the day. Working alongside organisers and the council to create a contingent safety plan allows the true messaging of the event to take centre stage, while also keeping on trams on time and a safe way to travel.”

On the day of Nottinghamshire Pride, between 10:30am and 12:30pm, there will be no service between the Lace Market and Old Market Square to ensure optimal safety for attendees. For those riding the tram outside of that time will see NET colleagues sporting bright colours in recognition of the event.

To find out more about travelling by tram to Nottinghamshire Pride, ticket and timetable information, visit: https://www.thetram.net/

For more information about Nottinghamshire Pride, visit: https://nottspride.co.uk/