Light Rail Transit Association facts for kids
The Light Rail Transit Association (LRTA) is a group that helps keep trams and light rail systems going. They want to see more of these modern electric trains. The LRTA also publishes a monthly magazine called Tramways & Urban Transit. This group is based in the United Kingdom, but it has members and works all around the world.
What is the LRTA?
The LRTA is a non-profit organisation. This means it's a group that doesn't try to make money for itself. Instead, its main goal is to support and encourage the use of light rail and tramway/streetcar systems. They also do research to help these systems grow and improve.
How the LRTA Started
The Light Rail Transit Association started a long time ago in 1937. Back then, it was called the Light Railway Transport League. They changed their name to LRTA in 1979.
When the group first formed, many of Britain's city trams were starting to disappear. People thought trams were old-fashioned.
Bringing Back Modern Trams
Because trams were disappearing, the LRTA worked hard to bring back modern light rail systems in the UK. They looked at successful systems in other countries, like the "Stadtbahn" trams in Germany.
The LRTA's efforts helped make a big difference. Many new tram systems opened in the UK, just like the LRTA wanted! Some examples include:
- The Tyne and Wear Metro, which opened in 1980.
- The Manchester Metrolink, which started running in 1991.
- New tram systems in Sheffield.
- The West Midlands Metro in Birmingham.
- Tramlink in Croydon.
- The Nottingham Express Transit in Nottingham.
These new tram systems show how much the LRTA's goals have been achieved.
Related Topics
- National Tramway Museum
- Scottish Tramway and Transport Society
- Campaign for Better Transport
