Light rail is too costly and unpopular, say auditors
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Supertram systems, once hailed as the future of inner-city transport, have failed to live up to their promise, the public spending watchdog said.
Supertram systems, once hailed as the future of inner-city transport, have failed to live up to their promise, the public spending watchdog said.
The National Audit Office (NAO) said passenger numbers on the seven light rail projects built since 1980 had fallen well short of forecasts in some cases; four were running at a loss. Numbers on the Sheffield "supertram" were 45 per cent below expectations, while the Midland Metro was 38 per cent short.
The systems were poorly integrated with buses and other local transport networks and high costs and poor value for money prevented investment in new railways and trams, it said.
Twelve new lines are being developed, part of 25 envisaged by 2010. But the NAO said they took too long to build, costs were higher than existing rail systems and were rising.
Edward Leigh, Conservative chairman of the Commons Public Accounts Committee, said: "The Department for Transport has persisted in an arm's-length attitude. Despite contributing more than £1bn, it does not really know what has been delivered. If light rail systems are to become a feature of many more English cities, then the department must make them cheaper and must give passengers more incentive to switch from other modes of transport."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments