Not-For-Profit UK Based Light Rail Transit Association
The LRTA is a not–for–profit UK based organisation and has members throughout the world. Free of any trade or political affiliation; it is the world’s leading organisation concerned with the achievement of better public transport through light rail, tramway and metro systems in towns and cities world–wide.
Tramways & Urban Transit — T&UT
T&UT is published on the third Friday of each month. It has news and features from around the world about urban transit developments and the latest information about tramways and light rail.
Tramway Review
Our historical quarterly is available with membership or as a stand alone subscription.
Why you should join the LRTA
Want to see integrated environmentally sustainable public transport in our towns and cities then you should join the LRTA — the more members the more effective we can be in campaigning for the introduction of trams and light rail.
Members receive T&UT as part of their subscription, at a discount on the cover price. There is now a choice of postal or online versions of the magazine. Postal subscribers can also access the online version.
Membership includes access to the LRTA e–Group; a YAHOO group. You can join online at the LRTA shop by clicking the Discussion Group item on the join/renewals page. Alternatively to join please e–mail groups@lrta.org; include your full name, membership number and post/zip code to ease the task of checking membership.
Members also have access to a Members Area which enables members to read the magazine on-line plus a selection of internal documents not available to the general public including a special guide to campaigning. When logged in a members discount is available on books and DVDs. To access go to the LRTA shop and create/log in to your account. Email OLM@lrta.org if Members Area not visible.
See How to join the LRTA page for more details.US and Canadian Visitors; feeling starved of up–to–date North American transit news? T&UT carries the breaking news stories each month in the most comprehensive and timely coverage now available.
LRTA Members’ meetings go online
The LRTA, like many similar organisations, has been unable to organise its usual local and area meetings and talks during the pandemic.
The series of online discussions and presentations using the Zoom platform will continue during 2021 starting in January. These are open to all LRTA Members and and are held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 16.00 (UK Time).
The talk by Area Officer Alan Wilkins on Light Rail developments in South Wales scheduled for 10th February has been postponed until the 24th March 2021.
Go to the Members’ Online Meetings Page for further details.
A recording of the latest talk is available for Members to view. See the ‘Past Meetings’ section of the ‘Members’ Online Meetings‘ page.
Deliveries of TAUT and books during the coronavirus pandemic
Members and supporters are asked for patience and understanding if your magazine or book is delayed during the current coronavirus pandemic. Whilst TAUT is still being published monthly and book orders processed, our dispatcher in line with many others has had to reduce the number of staff working at anyone time. This WILL delay the dispatch and delivery of your orders and magazine.
All back issues of Tramways and Urban Transit and Tramway Review for the USA and Canada have now been dispatched. Subscriber may also access the online edition of TAUT please email shopmaster@lrta.org with your details and membership number.
We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause. Stay alert and stay safe.
Coronavirus and LRTA meetings
The well-being and security of our members and supporters is a priority for the Association. With this in mind and following advice from the National Governments within the UK , ALL local, area and functional group meetings are CANCELLED until further notice. Members are encouraged to keep in touch and discuss issues via our Discussion group’s. The situation will be reviewed when circumstances or Government restrictions/advice change.
Upcoming Meetings
On-Line 16:00. Robert Pritchard: Tramways of the Czech and Slovak Republics Part 3 (LRTA)
LRTA Zoom Online Meeting
On-Line 16:00. Alan Wilkins: Light rail developments in South Wales (LRTA)
LRTA Zoom Online Meeting
Manchester – Online. 19:00 Alan Murray-Rust: Tramways of the Ruhr in 2005 (LRTA)
Online Zoom Talk. Contact manchester@lrta.org for information and zoom link.
Join Us Campaigning
The UK Government introduced its long- awaited Environment Bill in February, replacing existing EU legislation and claimed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson as an opportunity to demonstrate the UK has adopted tougher policies than the EU. TramForward is disappointed that the Bill contains no legally-binding targets to meet World Health Organisation (WHO) air pollution standards by 2030.
Latest News
25/02/2021
TramForward welcomes plans for Edinburgh tram expansion
TramForward welcomes the Scottish Government's commitment to expand the Edinburgh Tram network, especially to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh...
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17/02/2021
Tramway Review March 2021
INSIDE THE MARCH 2021 EDITION: The LRTL tour of Scottish tramways: 30 July-8 August 1955 Martin Jenkins recounts the...
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17/02/2021
Tramways and Urban Transit March 2021
INSIDE THE MARCH ISSUE: INTERVIEW: BOUNCING BACK Keolis CEO Alistair Gordon explains why the UK needs to urgently grasp...
Read Article1937 - History of theLight Rail Transit Association
Back in 1937 the Light Rail Transit Association came into being. It was not a very grand launch. A few persons, aroused by what they judged to be the folly of scrapping certain tram routes in North London, established contact with each other through the correspondence columns of local newspapers. After one or two tentative gatherings, an organising committee of three (George Jackman, Jay Fowler and Geoffrey Southerden) signalled...
Read Our History