EXPERTISE

Our expertise

We are recognised experts in the heavy and light rail industries, bridging the gap between concept and reality in public transportation provision. Our focus is on creating connected communities through the innovative use of eco-friendly rail vehicles, primarily on underutilised branch lines.

We specialise in the setup, operation, and maintenance of reliable, cost-efficient Very Light Rail (VLR) and Light Rapid Transit (LRT) services. Our Stourbridge operation stands as the UK’s only active VLR example, illustrating our commitment to sustainable, forward-thinking transit solutions.

Very Light Rail

Very Light Rail (VLR), exemplified by our Stourbridge service, represents the forefront of light, agile public transportation.

These small tram-type vehicles run on steel rails and are designed for minimal environmental impact, offering a lightweight (typically less than 1 tonne per linear metre), self-powered solution for up to 60 seated passengers.

The infrastructure required for VLR schemes is considered low-impact and cheaper than the infrastructure used by conventional Light Rail trams. VLR vehicles can also be adapted to accommodate tramways or traditional heavy railway services.

Light Rapid Transit

Light Rapid Transit (LRT) is the broad term used to describe tram and light railways.

These systems enable rail-based vehicles to run on traditional railway-type routes whilst also entering into the heart of towns and cities via rails installed within the highway.

These systems typically use overhead wires and can carry up to 250 passengers, forming a crucial part of integrated public transport networks. LRT and other large-scale services like High-Speed Rail depend on being fed by smaller-scale, lighter weight and less expensive local rail projects like VLR.

What we do

We prioritise excellent public transport services, placing customer satisfaction at the heart of everything we do – we put the customer first.

Our efforts are geared towards expanding our services and sharing our expertise to enhance community, business, and fellow transport providers’ experiences.

More specifically, details of the services we offer have been collated in the four groups, Consult, Collaborate, Innovate and Operate.

Consult

Pre Metro Operations Ltd are a company of transport experts. From driving VLR vehicles safely to advising on project risks, Pre Metro can provide consultancy services to ensure your transport projects benefit.

Our drivers have a unique experience, our operations management team understand safe, efficient systems and our directors have over 150 years of experience in many aspects of the transport sector, ensuring your projects benefit from our comprehensive knowledge.

We are always happy to share our experience and support projects, so feel free to contact us and discuss our consulting skillset and availability.

Collaborate

All aspects of our business benefit through collaboration. Our collective aim is to improve public transport provision. We regularly provide our support and advice to managers and promoters of public transport projects to ensure that public transport benefits.

We will continue to collaborate, reach out and help to promote initiatives that provide benefits to customers and community charities. Public transport provides opportunity, health improvements, education and overall improvement to the people we serve.

Our support for the community has been overwhelmingly beneficial to Stourbridge, and you can contact us to discuss ongoing and future collaboration opportunities.

Innovate

The Pre Metro team all have a healthy respect for past innovators without whom we would not be able to provide essential services. We want to ensure that future generations benefit from similar innovations that we actively support and promote.

Health, safety, efficiency and sustainability continue to be the core reasons we support innovation, and we all want to make a positive difference to as many people as we can.

Talk to us about your business, we are continually looking for innovation projects to support and assist with.

Operate

Our core business is the operation of public transport. We provide reliable daily passenger services in a safe, professional, efficient and friendly manner and have done so since 2005. Our reliability record is second to none, averaging 99.6% annually.

The customer is core to our business, we operate passenger services for our customers and have provided over 7 million passenger journeys. We are well-positioned to operate any VLR or LRT service within the UK. We are actively looking to expand our operations portfolio and welcome discussions with scheme promoters and owners.

Lets talk

Proven success

The Stourbridge Shuttle

The Stourbridge Shuttle represents a pinnacle of achievement in the VLR sector. As the sole operator in the UK, we’ve demonstrated exceptional reliability, environmental friendliness, and cost-effectiveness.

Having facilitated over 7 million passenger journeys and traversing upwards of 650,000 miles, our operation stands testament to our capability and commitment to the industry.

Our exceptional Public Performance Measure (PPM) scores, including multiple instances of achieving 100%, underscore the Shuttle’s reliability and our operational capability, whilst cutting costs to approximately 50% of conventional heavy rail operations and increasing service frequency.

And to the local town itself, the Stourbridge Shuttle is more than a transport service; it’s a community icon, laying the groundwork for our expanding success story.

Our awards

At Pre Metro, our dedication to excellence in operations has garnered significant recognition and accolades within the industry. Our journey is marked by prestigious awards and commendations, reflecting our commitment to innovation, efficiency, and customer service.

List of Awards:
2016 & 2017: Honoured with “Highly Commended” operator for two consecutive years at Mainspring’s Global Light Rail Awards.
2017: Won “Most Innovative Light Rail Service in the West Midlands” at the Transport News Logistics, Warehouse, and Supply Awards.
2018: Awarded “Most Innovative Light Rail Service” by Business Insight Awards.
2021: Celebrated as “Most Innovative Light Rail Service” in the Corporate America Today Annual Awards.
2022: Received the title of ‘Regional Light Rail Service Provider of the Year’ from the Midland Enterprise Awards.
2023: The Stourbridge Shuttle was awarded “Best Light Rail Service UK” by the Corporate Excellence Awards.

Our consistent recognition in these prestigious forums underscores our unparalleled expertise and the transformative impact of our services in Stourbridge and beyond.