Government announces recovery funding for the light rail sector

Light rail operators will receive £56 million in financial support to help longer-term viability and self-sustainability as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

Rt Hon Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Transport, said: “As restrictions are lifted and passengers return, the light rail sector is important in helping local economic recovery, thereby supporting the government’s ‘levelling-up’ agenda.

“To encourage passengers back, light rail services should be as available as they were prior to the pandemic. Without support, however, it may not be possible for operators to maintain the services they have provided up until now.”

Shapps added: “I can, therefore, announce that a further £56 million in financial support in the form of recovery funding has been made available for the light rail sector. 

“Funding operators and local authorities from 20 July 2021 until the end of this financial year, this will succeed the Light Rail Restart Revenue Grant, which ends on 19 July 2021.”

This article was originally published here.