Keolis’ first Tramway Club in Manchester: driving innovation on track

From 9th to 11th December, Manchester became the epicentre of tramway excellence as it welcomed the first-ever Tramway Club. This landmark event united industry leaders, experts, and partners from across Keolis’ networks and subsidiaries to collaborate on innovative solutions shaping the future of public transport.

The Tramway Club welcomed participants from across the Keolis Group, including representatives from KeolisAmey Metrolink and networks in Nottingham, Dubai, Bordeaux, Besançon, Dijon, and Orléans. Local expertise from Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and the UKTram Association further enriched the exchange of ideas, creating a dynamic forum for sharing best practices.

"This event brought together people from diverse cities, creating a valuable platform for knowledge sharing. Manchester has so much to gain from the expertise in this room.” said Danny Vaughan, Chief Network Officer for Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM). “Events like this are vital for enhancing our network, improving reliability, and, most importantly, delivering a better experience for our passengers by learning from other cities' successes."

As the UK’s largest tramway system, Manchester’s Metrolink—with its 99 stops, nearly 100 km of track, and 44 million annual journeys—offered an inspiring backdrop for the event. The network exemplifies how innovation and teamwork can deliver efficient and sustainable public transport solutions.

Through engaging discussions, participants explored how Metrolink's successes could serve as inspiration for improvements in other networks, with a focus on operational efficiency, elevating the passenger experience, and driving sustainability initiatives forward.

Over three days, the programme offered a diverse range of activities, including workshops, panel discussions, and a visit to Metrolink’s Old Trafford depot, located near the iconic Manchester United stadium. Discussions covered key topics such as operational strategies, passenger-centric innovations, and decarbonisation initiatives, addressing common challenges and opportunities for tramway operators globally.

“This event was about bringing together our expertise, transforming insights into actionable strategies, and identifying new opportunities.” said Damien Chabas, Managing Director Keolis Amey Metrolink. “Over the past few days, we’ve explored case studies, participated in panel discussions, and shared innovative ideas—all focused on delivering value to our customers, PTAs, and stakeholders.”

The first Tramway Club marked the beginning of a stronger, more connected future for tramway networks. Participants left Manchester equipped with fresh perspectives, strengthened partnerships, and a shared commitment to innovation.

The Tramway Club went beyond being just an event—it marked a commitment to advancing public transport and enhancing the experience of millions of passengers worldwide.

We look forward to the next edition, continuing the progress toward smarter, greener, and more efficient tramway solutions.