Urbsos100 50 has entered service on the West Midlands Metro. It was noted in action on Saturday 15th July 2023 and in carrying its first passengers has become the sixteenth member of this class of tram to enter service, pulling the Urbos100s level with the T69s in numbers (although soon to pull ahead with further examples currently being commissioned).
50 has been at Wednesbury Depot since 31st May 2023 when it arrived following its journey from the CAF factory at Zaragoza in Spain via Bristol docks and onwards via the UK road network. Since arriving it has gone through the standard commissioning process which has included mileage accumulation.
After the quicker entry into service of the previous couple of trams, 50 has reverted to the slower commissioning with it taking around six weeks between delivery and carrying passengers. However, with the stalled opening of the Wolverhampton extension the need to quickly get trams in service has probably slightly dissipated at the present time.
Two other Urbos100s remain at the depot awaiting full commissioning – 49 (arrived 6th June) and 54 (arrived 5th July).
50 at The Hawthorns with a service to Edgbaston Village.
50 stands at Edgbaston Village ahead of departure back to Wolverhampton St George’s.
On board 50. (Photographs x3 by Andy Walters, 15th July 2023)
50 departs from West Bromwich Central for Wolverhampton St George’s. (Photograph by Mark Cufflin, 17th July 2023)