The Secretary of State for Transport, Ruth Kelly MP, visited Nottingham to celebrate a new £500,000 bus service which connects to NET Line One at the Phoenix Park tram stop.

She commended Nottingham for its ‘joined up delivery’ and the creation of an integrated transport network in which buses and trams are linked together to provide passengers with high quality transport.

She said:

"This is a fantastic example of an integrated transport system serving the needs of the local community. It is the sort of joined up transport planning that offers people a real choice when deciding their travel plans and makes it easy  for people to leave their cars at home, reducing congestion in Nottingham."

The Transport Secretary was very impressed with her first visit to Nottingham’s trams, which were opened by Alistair Darling in March 2004. Since then it has had annual passenger figures of 8.4m, 9.7m and 10.7m and achieves 99% customer satisfaction rates.

NET has also brought physical change to the streets of Nottingham with public realm improvements and new developments along the route. The smart trams themselves present a modern image to the outside world as well as an appealing way of getting around the conurbation. Much of the extensive development currently underway in Nottingham is within 500 metres of the tramway.

Pat Armstrong, Director of NET, said:

"We're delighted that Ruth Kelly visited us at this exciting time, and provided us with the opportunity to thank the Government for their support so far, and talk to the Secretary of State about our ambitions to extend the system."

"NET Line One has been has been a tremendous success which we hope to duplicate with NET Phase Two. We currently have excellent connections between buses and trams at Bulwell and at Hucknall. The new Phoenix Park connection builds on this strength and is exactly what we hope to replicate through our NET Phase Two plans.”

NET info:

• NET Phase Two will double the system’s length to over 30km, add 2,500 Park & Ride spaces and spread the NET benefits south and west of the city.

• In October 2006 the Government agreed to allocate a PFI credit of £437million, which equates to £340 million in today’s terms, towards the cost of NET Phase Two.
• Approximately £100 million will be raised locally. The scheme’s promoters are considering funding options including a Workplace Parking Levy, developer contributions, prudential borrowing, council taxes or other income generating systems.
• When NET Phase Two is complete, Greater Nottingham’s tram network will cover over 19 miles (31 km).
• 20 million trips are expected to be made by passengers using the NET system every year of which 30% are expected to be ex-car users .
• A passenger survey revealed 80% support for the planned new lines south and west of the city.
• If given the final go-ahead, NET Phase Two could be up and running by 2013.