The Light Rail Transit Association (LRTA), formerly the Light Railway Transport League (LRTL), is a
non-profit organisation
A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...
whose purpose is to advocate and encourage research into the retention and development of
light rail and
tramway/streetcar systems. The LRTA publishes the monthly magazine ''
Tramways & Urban Transit
''Tramways & Urban Transit'' ''(TAUT'' or ''T&UT)'', also known as ''Modern Tramway'', is a British monthly magazine about tramways and light rail transport, published continuously since 1938. Its content is orientated both to tramway enthu ...
'' (formerly ''Modern Tramway''), and is based in the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and ...
but with an international membership and remit.
History
The Light Railway Transport League was formed in 1937, and renamed to the LRTA in 1979.
[Claydon, G.B. (July 1987). "Fifty years of the LRTA: Its origins and early years". '' Modern Tramway and Light Rail Transit'', p. 220–224. Ian Allan Publishing. ISSN 0144-1655.] It was formed at a time when Britain's urban tramways were starting to decline.
Because of the decline, the association campaigned for modern light rail in the UK, as typified by some "
Stadtbahn" systems in Germany. The openings of the
Tyne and Wear Metro in 1980,
Manchester Metrolink in 1991 and new tram systems in
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city in South Yorkshire, England, whose name derives from the River Sheaf which runs through it. The city serves as the administrative centre of the City of Sheffield. It is historically part of the West Riding of Yorkshire ...
,
Birmingham
Birmingham ( ) is a city and metropolitan borough in the metropolitan county of West Midlands in England. It is the second-largest city in the United Kingdom with a population of 1.145 million in the city proper, 2.92 million in the We ...
,
Croydon
Croydon is a large town in south London, England, south of Charing Cross. Part of the London Borough of Croydon, a local government district of Greater London. It is one of the largest commercial districts in Greater London, with an exten ...
and
Nottingham
Nottingham ( , locally ) is a city and unitary authority area in Nottinghamshire, East Midlands, England. It is located north-west of London, south-east of Sheffield and north-east of Birmingham. Nottingham has links to the legend of Robi ...
are very much in line with the aims of the LRTA.
See also
*
National Tramway Museum
*
Scottish Tramway and Transport Society
*
Campaign for Better Transport
References
External links
*
{{Britishmetros
Light rail in the United Kingdom
Tram transport in the United Kingdom
Transport advocacy groups of the United Kingdom
Organizations established in 1937