Nottingham Express Transit

Nottingham Express Transit (NET) is a 20-mile (32 km) tram system in Nottingham, England.

The concept of a modern tramway to reduce road congestion and promote urban renewal was formally identified during the late 1980s while detailed planning was undertaken during the early 1990s. The project, then referred to as the Greater Nottingham Light Rapid Transport (GNLRT), received Royal Assent on 21 July 1994 and central government financing was provided in subsequent years. In March 2000, a 30-year Private Finance Initiative (PFI) concession was awarded to the Arrow Light Rail Ltd consortium, which became responsibility for the design, funding, building, operation and maintenance of the line. On 9 March 2004, the system opened to the public; it was originally 8.7 miles (14 km) long and served 23 tram stops, having been constructed at a cost of £200 million, a sum equivalent to £388 million at 2023 price. Line 1 runs between Toton Lane and Hucknall, features a total of 33 or 34 tram stops, depending on direction, and has a journey time throughout of 62 minutes.

The tramway's early ridership exceeded expectations, with 8.4 million journeys in 2004-5 and 9.7 million in 2005–6, against targets of 8 million and 9 million respectively; its performance led to the scheme's second phase, under which the tramway would more than double in size, promptly receiving approval on 25 October 2006. Financial backing for the second phase was not fully secured until 2011, while the original concession to operate the tramway was terminated on 16 December 2011. A new consortium, known as Tramlink Nottingham Limited, was finalised in December 2011. Construction of the second phase commenced in 2012, work was protracted and the extension was finally opened on 25 August 2015, roughly two years earlier than had been originally planned. Line 2 runs between Clifton South and Phoenix Park, features 27 or 28 tram stops, depending on direction, and has a journey time throughout of 47 minutes.

Presently, the tramway is operated and maintained by Nottingham Trams Ltd on behalf of the Tramlink Nottingham consortium. It has a total length of 32 km (20 mi) As of 2024, the rolling stock consists of 15 Bombardier Incentro AT6/5 and 22 Alstom Citadis 302. Various changes and extensions to the tramway have been mooted, from additional stops along the two existing lines to multiple whole new lines being constructed.