On 30th May 1999 services finally started on what we now know as the West Midlands Metro and to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this momentous occasion a specially liveried tram will enter service during the afternoon of Thursday 30th May 2019. This tram will also have celebrations on board including impromptu entertainment, cupcakes and squeezy model trams (apparently for the kids!). And if you can’t get on board the tram then there will be Metro staff on hand at various tramstops to make sure even more passengers don’t miss out on the action!
It hasn’t been confirmed which tram will receive the special livery but it is being described as a “freshly commissioned” livery which will include a 20 year anniversary logo. The tram itself will be in service during the afternoon of 30th May and before the peak service begins it will have singers from Birmingham Youth Theatre, a magician and a balloon modeller!
Phil Hewitt, West Midlands Metro Director, said: “We’ve come a long way since 1999. We now have a new fleet of modern trams to which we’ll be adding even more as the network grows and we’re introducing the UK’s first stretch of overhead line-free track when the extension to Centenary Square opens at the end of the year. We’ve a great team of people proudly delivering services each and every day and it’s good for them to see that the Metro is going from strength to strength.”
Carl Williams, Director of Operations, added: “It’s a major milestone for tram services in the region and the great news is that things are going to get even better for our customers over the coming years. We’re keen to mark the occasion with a taste of fun but the serious work of massively growing the network is gathering pace with the opening of services to Centenary Square in Birmingham fast approaching later this year, swiftly followed by further extensions.”
Tram 19 was chosen to receive the birthday livery.