New Midland Metro trams almost ready for delivery

The first of the 20 CAF built trams for Midland Metro is nearing completion in Spain and is expected to be delivered to Birmingham in September. The Urbos 3 vehicles are being constructed by CAF at their factory in Zaragoza at a combined cost of £40 million and will bring with them major improvements to the travelling experience for passengers on Midland Metro as well as increasing the capacity on the current network.

The new trams are part of the £128 million expansion of the Midland Metro which will also include the extension in Birmingham city centre between the current terminus at Snow Hill station and New Street station. Although the extension is not due to open until 2015 it is planned that the CAF trams will enter service from spring 2014 on the existing route. They are much larger and more spacious than the current trams and will provide a welcome boost to the capacity of Midland Metro particularly at peak periods. The entire Midland Metro route was closed over Easter to allow the platforms to be altered to allow these new vehicles to safely operate.

* A video report from the CAF factory can be viewed on the BBC website – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-23149256

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