Edinburgh Trams are now running in passenger service all the way between Edinburgh Airport and Newhaven after the opening of the Trams to Newhaven extension as planned at midday on Wednesday 7th June. There were almost simultaneous departures from each end of the line with the first passengers able to buy special platinum tickets from the machines at both Picardy Place and Newhaven tramstops.
Although the line had originally been due to be part of the original Edinburgh Trams network, much of which was curtailed due to severe cost overruns, and there were some preparatory works which took place as part of that, construction of the extension started in November 2019. Over the past three and a half years the work has gradually progressed with the track going down, overhead wires installed and tramstops constructed.
It has long been planned that the line would open in spring 2023 and that has been achieved with a couple of weeks to spare! It has also been achieved within the revised budget of £207.3 million, which after all the problems of phase one is something to be cheered.
The extension runs for 2.91 miles (4.69 kilometres) and sees eight new stops added to the network (with one decommissioned at York Place last February and replaced by one nearby). The stops are located at Picardy Place, McDonald Road, Balfour Street, Foot of the Walk, The Shore, Port of Leith, Ocean Terminal and Newhaven.
The first tram from Newhaven every day will be at 0520 with a tram every 10 minutes until 0700 (Monday to Friday) and 0900 (Saturday and Sunday). Its then every 7 minutes until 2000 (Monday to Friday) and 2200 (Saturday and Sunday) and then every 10 minutes until the last tram from Newhaven at 2350 seven days a week. First trams going to Newhaven will be at 0447 from Princes Street and 0626 from the Airport.
There are no changes to the fare structure following the opening. An adult single across the entire network (except between Ingliston and the Airport) is £2.00 with a day return in the same area being £3.80. An Airport single is £7.50 with an Airport Open Return coming in at £9.50. Probably more likely to appeal to many readers of this website though are the range of day tickets – one for the network as far as Ingliston is £5.00 and if you want it to include the Airport its £12.00 (the Airport section probably remains the most expensive section of tramway if not rail borne transport in the UK). Tickets have to be purchased before boarding with ticket machines available at all stops and the app also available for purchase.
Services unusually started partway through the day (in most previous openings its been an early start to the day) with departures from both Picardy Place and Newhaven at around midday. The main events accompanied the Picardy Place departure which saw 258 in operation (which has just received a new advert to publicise the new line) whilst the first tram from Newhaven was 259.
As 258 arrived at Picardy Place it was accompanied by a piper and there was a specially choregraphed tram ballet outside St Mary’s Cathedral. Council Leader Cammy Day was then joined by local school pupils to cut the ribbon to officially launch the service.
Meanwhile at the other end of the line, primary school pupils from Victoria Primary School in Newhaven celebrated the launch by banging their drums! Also present to celebrate the occasion the Guard of Honour from the High Constabulary of the Port of Leith stood at Pilrig Street to welcome the trams into the historic Burgh of Leith wearing full parade dress, including top hats, whistles and ceremonial batons.
Obviously, with it being the official launch (although councillors and local school children took a trip the previous day for a special press trip) there were lots of dignitaries to offer a quote.
Cammy Day, City of Edinburgh Council Leader, said: “I’m delighted to be playing a part in this momentous occasion – the launch of tram passenger services between Picardy Place and Newhaven. It’s a real landmark moment for Edinburgh, as we bring this high capacity, sustainable and reliable service to the north of the city.
“I know many will share in my excitement, and optimism for the benefits this development will provide. We’ve already seen vast improvements to spaces along the route and long-term I’m looking forward to the impact it will have on the local economy, which even now we’re starting to see.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all those who live and own businesses along the route. They have shown such patience and resilience throughout this major, complex project and now I hope that they will really gain from the new service.
“This is also a chance to reflect on the hard work of those who have delivered this scheme. Thanks to the project team’s dedication, despite the challenges of recent years, I’m proud to say Trams to Newhaven has been delivered on time and within the £207.3m budget.”
Lea Harrison, Edinburgh Trams Managing Director, said: “Building on the undoubted popularity of the original route, the new line opens up a wealth of opportunities for the communities it now serves. Customers old and new can also count on the Edinburgh Trams team to help them to make the most of the new services, and we’ll be out and about on the system offering help and advice on getting around and finding the most cost-effective ticket option from a range of value-for-money deals.
“We’ll also continue working closely with businesses along the route to ensure they don’t miss out on the benefits of this landmark transport project that will help them attract new customers while providing a convenient way for their employees to get to and from work.
“From start to finish, the Trams to Newhaven project has been a real team effort, and over the past few months the Edinburgh Trams team has worked tirelessly on extensive testing and commissioning to ensure the new route integrates seamlessly with the original line. Now we’re all set to build on past successes as we enter a new era for both the tram and our fantastic city as it looks to a prosperous, greener, and even better-connected future.”
Passenger services will now run daily, although there do remain a few localised work sites to complete the public realm works.
259 gets ready to depart from Newhaven with the first inbound departure. It would depart at 1200 and become the first tram to leave the stop for the Airport with fare paying passengers on board. 264 is behind, which would operate service number two.
The departure is met by local school children and their drums.
One of the first tickets to be sold at Newhaven – an adult single. (All Photographs by Roy Calderwood, 7th June 2023)
Well done Edinburgh!
Great to read the opening of the new tramway had some celebrations, as one press report I read stated none had happened due to the massive over run, over spend and years of disruption!
Just how does Edinburgh hope to benefit from this addition to the tramway ? The area of Edinburgh that the line trasverses is not the wealthiest. Moreover, there’s little scope for economic expansion. Given the population size of Newhaven, if they wish to travel to Airport then it’s significantly cheaper using one of the myriad of bus serices that Lothian Buses provide. I would only conclude that to travel from Edinburgh city centre out to Newhaven then a £2 fare is reasonable……you can almost quadruple that if you wish to trave in the opposite direction to Airport by tram !
Alasdair, have you travelled this route by road previously. The whole of Leith Walk is very vibrant with small shops, bars, and restaurants. Then down to Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre, which will be revitalised by the Tram route, also Britannia of course. Not to mention the quite considerable amount of new build flats that have gone up along the former Quays. Then of course there is all the residential properties above and behind Leith Walk. Oh, have I mentioned the likely increase over the next few years in Cruise Passengers. AND eventually this will not be the end of the line!
OK Geoff but where’s the advantage of tram use over bus use ?
Well let us start start with Diesel buses, and particularly going up the hills in Edinburgh. Smoother and faster ride on the trams. Then Capacity of the trams. Next take a look at photos of Leith Walk today, compared to a couple of years ago. No comparison. Back to road vehicles on this route – fumes, both petrol and diesel, compared to no fumes. Sorry Alasdair, but there is simply no comparison, and certainly no advantage for buses, with one exception that I will grant you, that is cost. But well worth the extra.
I think the fact that it’s not covering the wealthiest areas is a good thing as the potential passengers are probably bus users at the moment. And the new route passes through high density housing. Not every passenger’s final destination is the airport. I’m imagining there’ll be many travelling from Leith to the city centre for work or leisure, visitors to/from RY Britannia, and students going from the north of the city to the Sighthill uni’s, choosing the smoother tram rather than the buses on Edinburgh’s potholed roads. I really think this will do wonders for ridership numbers.
Like several (hundred) other people, I was delighted to be on the first public tram from Picardy Place. Unlike two enthusiasts who got off at the last second to take photos, the doors shut as they nipped off, and the member of staff on board next to the door was clearly helpless to do anything about it, despite the horror on the enthusiasts faces as the Tram departed with great applause!