Coventry Very Light Rail

rdf:langString Coventry Very Light Rail

rdf:langString Coventry Very Light Rail (CVLR) is a light rail tram system proposed to operate in Coventry, England. The system has been promoted as being the first of its kind in the United Kingdom. When finished, it will also be the first tram network to operate in Coventry since the Second World War. Plans to establish such a system were first revealed during 2016; development work was headed by the Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) and (TDI). Operational responsibility for the scheme has been assigned to Transport for West Midlands (TfWM). It was designed to be substantially cheaper to establish than conventional tramways and light railways, making use of batteries to avoid installing expensive overhead line equipment along much of the route, along with light rails that are easy to install and repair. The system is reportedly to be compatible with that of the West Midlands Metro mass transit system. During early 2018, WMG started formalising its procurement arrangements with various industrial partners to complete development and produce the vehicle. Construction of the first prototype vehicle is scheduled to be completed and start initial testing during the second half of 2020, while delivery is set to occur during 2021. During 2019, it was announced that the first line of the system was planned to be operational by 2024. Further expansion of the network is intended after this point to cover various commercial, residential, and industrial districts of Coventry, as well as linking up with other transit hubs.