Plans have been “exclusively” revealed in the Croydon Advertiser that bosses at London Tramlink are looking at loading trams from Cologne in Germany to help ease overcrowding. However, the plan does hit a major snag as Cologne doesn’t currently have any spare trams!
A spokesman for Tramlink, Guy Pitt, is reported in the Croydon Advertiser as saying: “We're looking at the possibility of leasing trams from cities such as Cologne who run a similar system to ours. Unfortunately there are not immediately any trams they have got spare."
Transport for London admit that although it would be nice to get extra trams they would have an additional problem of lack of capacity on the track – but they claim to be looking at sorting this too. Guy Pitt added: “We're looking at doubling track where possible. Having stretches of single track militates against the sheer number of trams. The other big problem we have got is Wimbledon because there is just one bit of track there where the trams come in."
TfL believe that three extra trams would help with solving overcrowding but have no plans to actually order brand new trams for themselves. They are also looking at improvements for platforms – again to help with overcrowding.
Source: This is Croydon Today