Stagecoach Supertram in Sheffield has been honoured at the 2008 Light Rail Awards for an innovative vehicle refurbishment project.

The company picked up the Project of the Year award for its ‘Refresh’ scheme - a £3million upgrade programme run in partnership with South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE).

The Refresh project is aimed at enhancing the travel experience for tram users. Not only do the improvements provide a better level of customer comfort and security, but facilities have also been upgraded to assist mobility-impaired passengers.

As part of the project, each of the 25 trams is going through a 42-day improvement programme. This includes re-upholstered seats, dedicated priority seating areas, an improved area for wheelchairs, improved floor covering, internal CCTV for security and better information systems.

The refurbished vehicles have been repainted in a striking new blue, orange and red livery; driver’s facilities have been improved, including the provision of new electronically adjustable mirrors; and passengers can continue to expect the tram’s very high reliability to be maintained as obsolete and fragile parts have been replaced with more robust components.

Sheffield’s trams began running in 1994 and the 25 vehicles have each clocked up millions of miles since then. The refurbishment has improved the facilities for passengers, particularly mobility impaired people.

Stagecoach Supertram Maintenance Ltd is the only UK light rail company to attempt and successfully carry out a refresh onsite, with staff undertaking the majority of the work. The project has been widely praised by all sections of the tram and light rail industry for its design, innovation, speed, quality and value for money. By refurbishing the vehicles on site, in a dedicated facility at the Nunnery depot in Sheffield, Supertram has been able to do more for the benefit of passengers within the available budget.

To date, 22 of the 25 trams have been upgraded and the project is due for completion in January 2009.

David Young, Head of Transport Integration at SYPTE, said: "This improvement programme has resulted in a better travelling experience for the millions of people who use Sheffield’s iconic Supertram network each year. This is an important part of our strategy to encourage more people to leave their cars at home and use public transport where they can.

"This is an excellent example of partnership working between ourselves, Stagecoach Supertram and their consultants Atkins Rail. I am delighted it has been recognised by this award."

Andy Morris, Managing Director of Stagecoach Light Rail, said: "Customer reaction to our tram refresh programme has been excellent and has contributed to the continuing success of the tram network which now carries up to 15 million passengers a year. We are really pleased to win this award which is a tribute to the outstanding work of our dedicated team who carry out the refurbishment work."