The Midland Metro system celebrated its 10th anniversary today (Sunday 31st May) by uniting the Mayors of Birmingham, Sandwell, Dudley, Wolverhampton and Walsall for a special mayoral tram ride. Tram 10 was due to be used for the special journey which was collecting the Mayors from tram stops throughout the region. It was due to be driven by one of the longest serving tram drivers in original purple and grey uniform.
National Express – operators of Midland Metro – were working alongside Centro to organise the 10th anniversary event and were inviting Metro fans to watch the Mayors board along the route and join in celebrations at Wolverhampton St Georges tram stop. A speech was to be given about the 10 years of the tram line and a giant Metro cake was created especially for the occasion by catering students at Wolverhampton College.
Each of the five Mayors were also presented with an original presentation pack from the official Royal opening of the Metro by Princess Anne in 1999.
Neil Barker, Director Bus and Coach for National Express, said: “Over the past ten years the Midland Metro has become an integral part of the transport network in the Midlands, helping to regenerate areas along the line and connecting people with their friends, family and places of work or interest every day. We’re delighted the Mayors of Wolverhampton, Sandwell, Dudley, Walsall and the Deputy Lord Mayor of Birmingham could come together to help us celebrate this important occasion.”
Geoff Inskip, Chief Executive of Centro, added: “We are delighted to be celebrating ten years of Midland Metro with Travel Midland Metro and our local authority partners. The Metro provides a very important public transport link for both people living in and visiting the West Midlands by offering fast, reliable and easy to use transport which connects people to places. It really has transformed travel between Birmingham, West Bromwich and Wolverhampton. Looking to our future and the next ten years we have firm plans to build on the success of the existing line by extending the tram system right into the heart of our communities in our quest towards providing the region with a truly integrated, modern and attractive world class public transport system.”
* A photo of the cake (and report about its creation) are available at the Centro Journalist Press Lounge here.
Source: Centro