In a week of significant news stories the lot may well just have been trumped by the confirmation from Edinburgh that the first passenger journeys on their new tram system will be on Saturday 31st May 2014. The first departures will be at 0500 and will be the culmination of all the hard work, disruption and controversy since construction begun in 2007.
There can be no denying that so far the project has had more downs than ups but with the reaction seen on the streets of Edinburgh since testing started hopefully the corner has been turned and Scotland will be able to enjoy a successful tramway again for the first time in over 50 years.
Making the announcement, Cllr Lesley Hinds, Transport Convener on the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “We are very pleased to be able to confirm today that passenger services on Edinburgh Trams will begin running from 5am on Saturday 31 May 2014 – we’re ready to roll. The trams have already become a familiar sight in Edinburgh’s city centre as the comprehensive testing and training programme has progressed. This period has been invaluable for tram drivers and their fellow road users, including pedestrians and cyclists, as everyone gets used to interacting with the trams. I’ve been contacted by a great many residents eager to know when they’ll be able to start using the trams and I’m sure that now that the official start date is known, we’ll see that anticipation build further. Over the coming weeks in the run-up to 31 May, Edinburgh Trams will be releasing full timetable and ticket details, as well as holding helpful ‘roadshow’ events at tram stops to help residents and visitors become accustomed to using the trams, for example how to validate their ticket. In the meantime, Edinburgh Trams will ensure all staff complete any outstanding training requirements.”
Edinburgh Trams are now entering the final stages of the rigorous testing, commissioning and driver training programme in the build-up to opening and to make sure that everything is working smoothly when the first fare paying passengers are carried on the last day of May. At the moment full details of ticketing and timetabling has not been released but what is known that is that anyone wishing to travel through to Edinburgh Airport should be prepared to pay a premium fare with cheaper fares available between all other stops on the line.
It probably doesn’t need saying again but the originally envisaged tram network for Edinburgh has been much reduced over the years following budget overruns partly caused by the need for far more utility diversions that were expected which led to serious concerns that the project may be abandoned altogether. But fortunately that didn’t happen although what we are left with (for now?) is a 14km route between Edinburgh Airport and York Place in Edinburgh City Centre. There will be 15 stops open to the public at Edinburgh Airport, Ingliston Park and Ride, Gogarburn, Gyle Centre, Edinburgh Park Central, Edinburgh Park Station, Bankhead, Saughton, Balgreen, Murrayfield Stadium, Haymarket, West End – Princes Street, Princes Street, St Andrew Square (for Waverley) and York Place.
A fleet of 27 trams was ordered for the original expanded network and although the shorter line will not need all of these vehicles they have all been constructed by CAF in Spain and delivered to Edinburgh. They will all be used in service (although obviously not all at the same time) and 275 is currently being tested carrying a special livery (yet another livery these vehicles have carried in their short lives!) advertising the start date for the trams with the hashtag #readytoroll being used. The trams have capacity for 250 people including 80 on plush leather seats.
It may have seemed over the years that the project was doomed but finally on Saturday 31st May we will be able to say Edinburgh Trams is open!
* Unfortunately British Trams Online is already booked elsewhere on Saturday 31st May (we were actually hoping for an early May opening!) so if anyone is present we would gladly receive any photos to provide extensive coverage (if we receive enough we would love to feature a full Photo Gallery on the opening). In the meantime we do have some Edinburgh Trams at test photos waiting in the wings and a gallery will be added of these soon.
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The news we have been waiting for, almost every day for the last few weeks.
I was with other members of the Edinburgh Transport Group last night
on our first evening tour of the year.[on the unique 101 YSG 101].
We were all having a guess when the trams would start.
We had no inkling it would announced the next morning.
Think their will be a lot off us on the first tram.
It was announced on twitter the day before that there would be a ‘big announcement’ the following day! Even before that, it was always said they were going to start in May with 4 weeks notice. Seeing how we’d reached 1st May with no announcement, logic suggested it would be 31/05/14!
Just booked the accommodation so I will submit photos of the day
When last seen a fortnight ago, the Airport terminus was a disorganised mess of a building site. They will have to be given a huge incentive payment to have it ready for opening !
Can appreciate your request, Gareth but I believe trams will start at 0600 without any opening ceremony. It will take a hardy soul to be up at that time on a Saturday morning !!
I’m sure we could send some hardy souls up from Manchester if necessary, I think most if not all the reports of recent Metrolink extensions on BTO have been accompanied by photos of the first tram, taken between 5 and 6am!
If Gareth wants “first day pictures” then somebody will have a VERY early start as according to BBC Scotland News’ website, the first tram is scheduled to depart Gyle Centre for the city at 0500 !
Does anyone know how far tram halt Gogarburn is from the depot.
On the video I saw there was a halt at the side of the depot but thought this might be a private halt for depot staff. Thanks.
The Gogarburn stop is only a 5 minute walk from Gogar depot, the short platform at the depot is for staff use only, changing crews etc.
thanks Bob
OK, I’m already “eating my words” about the incomplete Airport tram stop.
Tonight, I note on Edinburgh trams Twitter site that responding to an enquiry, they have made the following statement “….First passenger tram will depart from Airport @ 0618 Sat 31/5/14”.
I’m in Edinburgh next week for the ALBUM bus managers conference, I had booked my flights a long while ago in the hope I’d be able to ride the system – now frustrated! Does anyone know whether there are likely to be trams out on test runs during the day on Monday and if they are test running all the way into the city centre?
I’m hoping I might at least get some photos, if not a ride. I arrive early ish on Monday (Easyjet from Southend) and have the day to spare . . .
Richard,
Very likely trams will be running along Princes Street on Monday. Today, I spent just over an hour at Gyle Centre tram stop and noted the following undergoung testing/training:
Cars 255, 260, 261, 272 & 276.
Trams are running full length of system from Airport through to York Place; there’s no chance of a ride yet. Recommend you “hang around” Saint Andrew Square tram stop !
Good luck.
Well, Richard I got it right, yes trams were running today, Airport – York Place every quarter of an hour or so ! Even better it stayed dry all day; unfortunately “go live” tram 275 didn’t make an appearance. You can’t have it all !