Midland Metro’s new Urbos 3 trams continue to be in passenger service every day but since the first day there haven’t often been four in action at any one time with normally just two running with occasionally a third joining in. Of course from Saturday 6th September the Midland Metro line is only running between Birmingham Snow Hill and Priestfield due to rail replacement works which has reduced the number of trams needed on a daily basis but the introduction of the CAF built trams hasn’t quite gone according to plan anyway.
On the very first day or Urbos 3s in service there were problems when 20, which was to be the first tram in service, was delayed departing by 20 minutes Birmingham Snow Hill . Although 20 did operate on day one it has since spent some time out of service having suffered a broken window during the first day.
There have also been complaints over the new trams with the seats said to be uncomfortably hard and they have struggled to keep to time due to the slowness of the doors opening and closing. There have also been comments about the lack of opening windows and that they get very hot (similar to the CAF vehicles in Edinburgh). But it should be remembered that these are new vehicles and will take some getting used to for both passengers and crew alike – there aren’t many new vehicles in the world which don’t have a few issues during the first few weeks.
20 waits for the official launch of Wednesbury Parkway.
Speeches at Wednesbury Parkway during the launch.
Passengers wait at Birmingham Snow Hill to board 20 ahead of its first passenger journey to Wolverhampton St George's.
Another view of 20 at Snow Hill.
A commemorative ticket issued on the first day.
On 6th September Urbos 3 18 demonstrates the crossover at Priestfield on the first day of the short running. (All Photos: Andy Walters)
Visited on Sunday gone. Three Urbos 3’s out but one developed a fault and was taken out of traffic mid afternoon. A25 min gap in services at one stage.
Seats very had and uncomfortable. Worse than the Manchester Trams.
It was a warm day and the lack of ventilation was very noticeable. Not sure if they have air conditioning but certainly not working.
On a positive note trams very smooth and quiet.
Visited today. Three Urbo 3’s in action. Nos 20, 22 & 23. Was told that 18 had been out in the early part of the day but developed a fault and had to be taken out of service. Also on my second trip past the depot 27 was standing at the depot entrance – complete with plastic covers on the seats.
None of the Urbo 3’s had route maps with stops as do the original trams. Rather confusing for travellers who are not regular. In addition although there were notices advising that trams are only running between Snow Hill and Priestfield there is no mention that Midland Metro tickets are valid on the buses into the centre of Wolverhampton or any notices at Priestfield telling passengers where to find them. I last visited Birmingham on 26th June and walking through the city centre progress on the extension seems to be very slow. Others I met thought the same.
i can’t understand why that workmen are only working 7am – 5pm every day. There are no houses on where the track is being built so can’t understand why they are not working round the clock 24/7
I’ve heard from elsewhere that 20s ‘fault’ is a broken window after the locals expressed their opinion of the new vehicles with bricks but not been able to verify that…
I find it astonishing when designing a multi-million pound vehicle that no thought goes into passenger comfort, passengers are left to perch on dreadful seats with no ventilation.
virgin trains don’t have trains with windows you don’t open.
NXWM have started opening windows on caf 3’s
Uncomfortable seats seem to be a new disease in rolling stock, both light rail and heavy rail. Why? What is wrong with the thought-processes of the designers because it is surely weird consciously to set about designing an uncomfortable seat for people? Or do they want to discourage folk from travelling? Something wrong in those brains I fear.
Who thought the public would accept the hard seats on the new trams? I notice the drivers seat looks very comfortable.