Just four weeks after the last battery fitted tram entered service, 29 is now part of the operational fleet on the West Midlands Metro having run for the first time in passenger service complete with batteries on Friday 21st June. This now means that over half of the 21 strong fleet of Urbos 3 trams now have batteries fitted and are in service with this being the eleventh.
Whereas all previous battery fitted trams have undergone extensive overnight testing it is believed that this was not the case with 29 with it just being tested around the depot complex before being cleared for service.
Just the ten to go now! With the first stage of the Birmingham Westside extension featuring no overhead wires all trams are expected to be treated before this opens in late 2019.
29 in the central strip of Bilston Road close to The Royal on its first full day in service.
An aerial view of 29 at The Hawthorns showing the battery compartment on the roof.
29 stands at Grand Central waiting to depart back to Wolverhampton St George’s. (All Photographs by Andy Walters, 21st June 2019)