THIS March marks Nottingham Express Transit (NET)’s 20th anniversary. To celebrate, the network is treating tram users to a whole year of surprises and treats.
NET kick-started the celebrations and its ‘20 acts of kindness’ campaign by treating anyone who shared its birthday date of 9th March, to a special birthday gift and group photo. In attendance was David Nicholson-Cole who not only shares his birthday with Nottingham’s trams but was one of the trams’ first ever passengers and has used them for his travels since they first launched. He was joined by Dr Fouad Al-Dairi, a retired doctor and regular tram user who also shares his birthday with NET and used to work at QMC.
For those who weren’t able to attend, NET is offering another chance to bag some birthday goodies to the first 20 people who share its birthday date who get in touch with them via email.
Over the coming 12 months, in a bid to say thank you and give back to the people of Nottingham, NET will be revealing even more ‘surprise and delight’ moments which include giveaways, gifts, charity donations and more, as well as a silent auction. During the auction members of the public are invited to bid to win one of five limited-edition goody bags, with all proceeds raised donated to NET’s charity of the year, Nottingham Central Women's Aid.
Alison Sweeney, head of marketing at NET, said: “NET has been proud to serve the people of Nottingham since 2004 where over the past two decades we’ve helped to connect family and friends across the city and beyond. Through a consistent offering of sustainable, affordable and convenient travel, the network has become an integral part of Nottingham life and the city’s infrastructure.
“As we celebrate this very special milestone, we want to thank all those who have supported NET over the years, whether you use the tram every day, monthly or for special occasions. And, we’re excited to do that through our 20 acts of kindness campaign. It was great to meet people from across the city who share our birthday as they joined us to help commemorate our anniversary. However, we’ve got more exciting treats to come. Keep your eyes peeled for even more surprises over the coming months.”
Although Nottingham’s iconic tram system as it’s known today was launched in 2004, trams have been used in Nottingham since as early as 1878, when Nottingham’s first tram was powered by steam. After the system was closed in the 1936, it took 68 years for trams to return to the city.
Today, Nottingham’s tram network offers a green, reliable and efficient way for thousands across the city to travel for work, study, days out and more.
Since the trams’ re-introduction in 2004, the system was then extended in 2015, with the network now covering all major employment areas, both of Nottingham’s universities and offering a direct link to the Queen’s Medical Centre. Running up to every seven minutes, seven days a week and 364 days a year – NET’s service is now pivotal to the lives of so many.
Alison added: “Many may well remember when NET launched back in 2004, and since then we’ve worked hard to ensure the network continues to be the very best it can be. This has included a range of initiatives and improvements across the network, including more convenient ways for passengers to travel and the introduction of more ticket options.
“Looking ahead to the coming years, we look forward to building on our successes to date by introducing even more improvements and continuing to provide our customers with exceptionally high levels of customer service and care.”
NET currently employs approximately 300 members of staff and operates a fleet of 37 trams, many of which are named after a range of famous people of Nottingham, the most recent of which was Lioness Mary Earps, who had a tram named after her at the end of last year.
Nottingham City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Highways, Transport and Planning, Councillor Angela Kandola, said: “It’s incredible to think that thirty years after Nottingham City Council’s first woman leader, Councillor Betty Higgins, set her vision in motion for returning trams to our city streets, our modern tram system has now been running for two decades.
“The tram is the backbone of the city’s integrated transport network, underpinning all our efforts to reduce congestion, improve air quality and make Nottingham a great place to live, work and visit.”
For more information about Tramlink, NET and its 20th birthday visit https://www.thetram.net/
Anyone born on 9th March must email tramlink@cartwrightcommunications.co.uk with proof of their birthday to be eligible for the gift. The first 20 people to get in touch will receive the treat, which is available on a first come, first serve basis. Bids must be submitted by Friday 22nd March at 5pm.
To take part in the silent auction, bidders must email silentauction@thetram.net with their full name, their highest bid, email address & phone number.