Following on from Sefton Council’s decision to withdraw their support for the scheme last week, this week has seen Wirral Council also saying no to Merseytram. The Wirral Chief Executive, Stephen Maddox said: “We are supportive of the principle of the tram and the benefits it would bring to Merseyside. But the project would place an unreasonably high burden on council taxpayers."

The councils in St Helens and Knowsley have also said that any tax increases to pay for Merseytram would be unacceptable. The Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats in Knowsley, Councillor Dave Smithson called on the financial details of Merseytram to be far more transparent, so the public can make an informed decision on whether it should go ahead.

He said: “Sefton's position is perfectly understandable and Knowsley's cabinet has now clearly given its view that the tram must have a neutral effect on the levy. But given the overwhelming public support for the project, maybe it is time all costs on an individual's council tax levy is made public and a Merseyside-wide referendum held to decide the fate of the project."

Senior officials from Merseytravel are furious they were not given the chance to question the treasurers report which has caused the local Councils to have doubts about Merseytram, before it was made public. A senior Merseytravel source claimed: “This report is a total stitch-up. We were only allowed to see it half an hour before the last meeting of leaders and chief executives on September 9. It was agreed nothing would be done until we had the chance to comment because we disagreed with a lot of what was in it. We are now considering asking the district auditor to investigate what we believe is the obvious bias of the report. It takes no account of the social benefits of Merseytram at all. Merseytravel has said that there will be no impact on the levy at all for the foreseeable future."

At the end of the week Liverpool City Council chiefs gave the green light for Merseytram by giving a vote of confidence. However, although they gave their support to the scheme they refused to accept a new pay deal to pay for Line One, saying it could potentially hit council tax payers. Instead, Liverpool Council will join a delegation which will ask the government to provide an extra £66.7 million for the scheme. Liverpool will also support use of Mersey tunnel charges to fund the scheme.

Councillor Mike Storey, leader of the Council, said: “The tram is hugely important to Merseyside, but we are aware that the cost has risen by £67m. We cannot expect council taxpayers to pay that. However, we will take part in an all-Merseyside delegation to the Department for Transport and ask for the government to provide the money. We are still in total support of Merseytram, shown by the way we have handed over land for free, and agreed to let work carry on into 2008."

This followed on from another glimmer of hope when part of the funding gap was closed. The DfT agreed a contingency budget set aside for unexpected extra costs can be reduced from £30 million to £14 million. This part of the budget is vital as all five local Councils were being asked to underwrite it. The deficit has now been reduced to £50 million, and Merseytravel are hopeful that this can be raised through borrowing and a possible late bid for Objective 1 cash.

Merseytravel chairman Councillor Mark Dowd said: “We have reduced the contingency requirements to £14m. I cannot believe we are going to allow Merseytram, one of the most significant transport projects in the history of the region, to fail because this sum will not be guaranteed by our partners. We couldn't buy, for 10 times this amount, the advantages Merseytram will bring in terms of job creation, inward investment and social inclusion. We have already stressed there will be no increase in the levy paid by the authorities to Merseytravel in the foreseeable future. We are saying to our partners, 'Here is a tram scheme to equal any in the world and it is yours for £14m over two to three years'. In fact, the scheme may need nowhere near £14m but this is the amount that needs to be guaranteed in case of any emergencies.”
Source: icLiverpool

WEST LONDON TRAM PLAN DELAYED
Sunday 25 September 2005
Transport for London (TfL) have revealed that they have delayed the plan to apply for the Transport and Works Act (TWA) until Summer 2006, it was originally planned to be applied for in December. The reasoning is for TfL to have a detailed look at some of the traffic management issues raised in the Public Consultation.

Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone said: “I remain totally committed to West London Tram. This change to the timetable allows Transport for London to have a deeper look at some aspects of traffic management. Transport for London and Ealing Council have decided jointly to do this after taking into account issues raised in the public consultation. The population in West London is growing rapidly and improving public transport is key to preventing virtual gridlock on the Uxbridge Road in the next decade."

TfL is also planning further local consultation on some minor changes to the scheme and its design. These changes have been made after the last round of consultations earlier this year.

Leo Thomson, leader of Ealing Council added: “The decision being taken to revise the timetable comes after traffic management issues were raised in the public consultation. It is vital we use the clearest and most accurate information as traffic management around the scheme is of the utmost importance to the people of the borough. The scheme is critical to improving public transport, the environment and the local economy, and we must make sure we get it right."

Richard Barnes, who represents Ealing for the Conservatives on the London Assembly said the scheme was “fast unravelling”. He added: “Three out of five people in the mayor's own consultation were opposed to it. It's expensive, will cause traffic chaos for years while it is built and ultimately won't deliver the transport benefits West Londoners need."
Source: Transport for London BBC News Online

EDINBURGH TRAM PRICE RISES BY £66 MILLION
Sunday 25 September 2005
This week it was revealed that the cost of building Lines One and Two of the tramway in Edinburgh has been increased by £66 million because of inflation on building materials. This has risen the total cost of the scheme to £539 million.

Ian Kendall, the newly appointed Tram Project Director at tie, said: “The cost estimates presented to parliament are based on 2003 prices, and will be subject to inflation - as with any project which takes a number of years to deliver. TIE and the City of Edinburgh Council have always recognised inflation as a permanent factor that will have to be taken into account." However, he refused to say just how much the cost had been risen this time.

It now looks likely that Edinburgh City Council will face a £164 million funding shortfall because the Scottish Executive is unlikely to increase their grant of £375 million to cover the project. The original price considered for the scheme in December 2003 was £473 million.

The city’s transport leader, Councillor Andrew Burns said: “Self-evidently, inflation will have an impact on the current cost estimates for the tram project, as it does with all long-term infrastructure developments of this nature. These cost estimates were presented to the Scottish Parliament, quite properly based on 2003 prices, which is when the Executive awarded £375 million towards the tram project as part of the council's application in principle for the Integrated Transport Initiative."

The Conservative Transport spokesman, Allan Jackson, added: “Several years ago we were told the cost would be £375 million and we always assumed that would never be enough. This scheme is extremely expensive and I severely doubt that Edinburgh will find the extra money to fill the shortfall on its own. We may have to look at trimming back the plans and only going forward with a core part of the tram network."
Source: The Scotsman

THREE SAY FAREWELL AT CRICH ENTHUSIASTS DAY
Sunday 25 September 2005
Yesterday (Saturday 24 September) was the annual Crich Tramway Village Enthusiasts Day. As we reported on the home page during the week, Leeds 345 was not launched with its restoration not entirely completed.

With Sheffield 46, Leeds 600 and Glasgow 1100 due to leave the Museum to go to the Clay Cross store soon the chance was taken to line them up in the depot yard at the end of the day, for their main farewell. 600 also managed an appearance at Town End earlier during the day in a line up of all six Leeds trams in the collection.

A rare outing was made by New York 674 which was displayed on the depot fan along with various other trams. Leeds 345 did make an appearance, although this was not in passenger service. In an incident Halle 902 caused mayhem at Glory Mine by bringing down a small section of overhead wire that its pantograph had snagged on.

We hope to bring you a full report and pictures on the days events soon.
Source:Andrew Waddington

LEEDS CONTINUE THEIR PRESSURE FOR SUPERTRAM
Sunday 25 September 2005
Transport chiefs in the Yorkshire city of Leeds have renewed their campaign to get the plan for trams to return to the city back on track following Transport Minister Derek Twigg’s request for more information back in July.

Metro, the West Yorkshire PTE, have reviewed their plans and have once again concluded that trams are needed in the city. A spokesman from Metro said: “In response to Mr Twigg's request, we have completed a further review into a high quality bus option and provided additional details of the local funding for the tram option. Once again the tram proved to be cost-effective and the only solution that will provide the range and level of long term benefits needed by the city and the region along the planned routes."

This new information has been sent to the Department for Transport along with a reminder that an early decision is needed so work can start on buying more than 200 pieces of land for the scheme. A spokeswoman from the DfT was as non committal as ever saying: “It is important we make the right decision which we will come to in due course." But the right decision for whom?
Source: BBC News Online

EDINBURGH AWARDS TWO FURTHER CONTRACTS
Sunday 25 September 2005
Two further contracts, worth around £25 million, have been awarded for the planned Edinburgh tram system. Parsons Brinckerhoff have been appointed to provide System Design Services and Steer Davies Gleave in association with Colin Buchanan have got the Joint Revenue Committee Contract.

Ian Kendall, Tram Project Director of tie, said: “With these two appointments we are bringing together a truly world-class team to partner tie to deliver trams to Edinburgh. The city’s tram network is an important infrastructure project, and some of the world’s best engineering companies have mobilised teams from all over the globe to work with us. These appointments are a further illustration of the class which is being brought to this project, and my personal commitment to delivering the best for Edinburgh.”

Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB) will be in charge of the development of a detailed traffic management plan to minimise disruption during the construction phase of the tram lines. Their tram in Edinburgh will be led by PB Project Director, David Hutchison, who has over 30 years experience on projects including the modernisation of the Glasgow Underground. He said: “Our main challenge is to design a system that is in keeping with Edinburgh’s status as a World Heritage Site, which respects fully the surrounding environment and how the tram interacts within it, and provides a first class transport solution for Edinburgh.”

Meanwhile, the £1.5 million design contract won by Steer Davies Gleave (SDG) in association with Colin Buchanan is to conduct research into passenger trends for tie and the tram operator, Transdev. Stephen Hewitt from SDG commented: “Our contribution will be a challenging one, to make robust forecasts of the demand for and revenue of the tram that will have the confidence of the tram operator and TIE."

It is believed that if the Edinburgh tram project is refused permission no money will change hands to either of these contracts.
Source: The Scotsman & tie

BRISTOL CITY COUNCIL LEADER WANTS TRAM TAX
Sunday 25 September 2005
At the Liberal Democrat Annual Conference held in Blackpool last week, the Bristol City Council leader, Barbara Janke said that people in Bristol could be asked to pay a special “tram tax” to fund a new transport system in the city.

Councillor Janke said: “We should be looking at how we could have the power to invest in transport infrastructure at a local level.”

However, just where she has got this idea from is not known, especially as earlier this year the Supertram plan in the city was officially put to bed due to the cost.

The idea has not gone down well in Bristol with the leader of the Conservatives, Councillor Richards Eddy saying: “Frankly I'm astonished. It was the Lib Dems here and in South Gloucestershire who drove the supertram into the buffers.”
Source: BBC News Online

BLACK COUNTRY MUSEUM RECEIVE HIGH LEVEL PLATFORM
Sunday 25 September 2005
Centro and Travel Midland Metro have made life easier for volunteers at the Black Country Living History Museum in Dudley with the donation of a high level platform for overhead inspection.

Fred Roberts, General Manager of Travel Midland Metro said: “We have a redundant road/rail platform that is now surplus to our requirements here at the Metro. We thought that the Black Country Transport Group at the Museum would be the best place for this vehicle. No doubt it will be cherished and well used, and it will help to keep their important exhibits on the go!"

The high level platform will be used at the Museum to make the inspection of the overhead wires a lot easier, to keep the trams and trolleybuses on the road.

Colin Robey of Centro added: “Both our organisations recognise the skills that the Black Country Museum has, and also its important role as a major tourist attraction for the region. We feel that the vehicle we are donating will find a good home, as well as helping to enhance the work of the Transport Group and the Museum."
Source: Midland Metro

CROYDON TRAMLINK NEWS UPDATE
Sunday 25 September 2005
A tamper is to visit the system at the end of October/beginning of November for some much needed maintenance work. The Unofficial Croydon Tramlink website now reports the expected movements of the unit during its stay in Croydon. From Saturday 22 October it is to be based at the depot at Therapia Lane and will spend the nights from Saturday until Wednesday tamping sections of the Wimbledon line which need attention. It will then move to the Elmers End cripple siding (as from Friday 28 October), from here it will be used from Friday night to Tuesday night on sections of the Beckenham Junction line. It will then remain at Elmers End for its final work on the nights of Thursday 3 and Friday 4 November on the New Addington line. The use of the Elmers End cripple siding is believed to be the first use of it since gauging trials with 2533 on 7 October 1999.

Further trams have now received the new seat covers with the latest vehicles so treated being 2539, 2540, 2542, 2543, 2545 and 2547 - this now makes 11 of the trams having clean seats!

Last weekend saw two major disruptions on the tramway with a hoax suicide attempt and an air conditioning unit being the causes. On Saturday (17 September) at 115 Tramlink were informed by the Police that a woman had been reported as being on the Willow Lane Bridge (west of Mitcham Junction) and threatening to jump. Tramlink control were forced to stop all trams going this way and then allowed them to proceed at walking pace following inspection by the first driver. Full services were back on track after the Police inspected the area and realised it was a hoax.

Meanwhile, on Sunday (18 September) services in central Croydon were severely disrupted by contractors lifting air conditioning units onto the roof of the Nestle building near to Wellesley Road by helicopter. These units were being lifted over the road where buses were running and not far away there were tram and the Police decided to stop all traffic in the vicinity in case they fell. For around three hours there were no buses at all in central Croydon whilst the Duty Manager of Tramlink managed to persuade the Police to allow trams to proceed when there was no lifting taking place. By early afternoon tram services were back on track.

For full and detailed news on the latest goings on in Croydon, visit the Unofficial Croydon Tramlink Website.
Source: Unoffical Croydon Tramlink

IS IT FINALLY THE END FOR MERSEYTRAM?
Sunday 18 September 2005
Another dramatic twist in the Merseytram story happened this week when Sefton Council became the first of the Merseyside councils to publicly withdrawn their support for the scheme.

The Government had demanded that all five local councils signed up to the proposed funding package before they would release its £170 million contribution towards construction and now one of these councils have publicly said no, where the scheme now goes is unclear.

At a cabinet meeting on Wednesday (14 September) the council unanimously decided that they could not support the proposed financial package for Line One. Sefton’s Liberal Democrat council leader said: “We were all sad to take this step, but we felt we could not risk the potential added burden to Sefton council taxpayers of an increase in the levy. My understanding is that our position is shared by both St Helens and Wirral. That is certainly how the situation appeared to me at last week's meeting."

It is believed that a last ditch attempt will be made to go back to the Government and ask either for an extra £20 million in funding or permission to proceed with £20 million less risk contingency in the budget. But with the government’s apparent stance on light rail recently the chances of this are probably quite remote, however, officials at Merseytravel have not given up all hope of resurrecting the scheme.

A source at Merseytravel said: “If you put any report before a group of S151 officers (council treasurers) they will always view it as 'glass half-empty rather than glass half-full'. They are naturally cautious and pessimistic. They have based their view on an Investec report that has been amended and we have not even been allowed to see the original version. The fact is that we are the only passenger transport authority in the country named as a centre of excellence for delivery and we intend to do that.”

"Why isn't anyone talking about the regenerative effect the tram will have on Kirkby, about the thousands of jobs this will open out to people? The report is full of negatives and doesn't look at the positives. This tram is for Merseyside, not Merseytravel. Are we going to lose it just for not having the guts to take it forward?” he added.

The source went on to say: "We've got a funding gap of £20m, we under-stand the position of the councils and there is a lot of nervousness about it. Now we need a bit of help from UK plc. We don't need £30m of contingencies in the budget, the tram is inflation-proof. The design cost is fixed, the civil engineering costs are fixed, so £10m should be fine. Sefton's concerns seem principally with post-operation costs but once it's running it will breed success. The big three risks were with statutory undertakings (moving utility pipes etc) and we've already done half of that. Second, with antiquities like the Dock Wall and we've already dealt with that and third with human remains, and we've already moved them from Grant Gardens."

It is believed that Neil Scales, Director General of Merseytravel, was travelling down to London to speak to DfT officials to see if the scheme could be resurrected in the middle of last week, but as yet no news has come out whether this was a success.

The decision of Sefton Council was met with dismay by the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce. David Wade-Smith, chairman said: “It is absolutely astonishing that we might lose this for the matter of £20m. And not even £20m that is missing, but £20m that might possibly be needed. In modern infrastructure projects that is absolutely nothing. It's just two miles of motorway.

"There is no doubt that the businesses and people of Liverpool and Merseyside want this to happen and want the councillors, the politicians and officers to make it happen. That is what is being tested here, their ability to make big infrastructure projects happen. We've got to strengthen our resolve. It needs the will, and the people and businesses of Merseyside need to demonstrate that will again and make their voice heard” he added.

”Infrastructure is so important. Build it and they will come. The Tubes in London are overflowing because they were built in the first place. Cities like Manchester and Nottingham are seeing the same. Most of the contracts are at guaranteed prices. We can't allow this to die on such a relatively small sum of money. This is the chance of a generation and the politicians and the officers have it in their hands. Do these politicians and officers want to be remembered as the group who created this crucial infrastructure project or go down in history as the people who blocked it?" he concluded.

But Sefton Council were adamant that they had made the only decision possible with Councillor Robertson saying: “The cabinet came to the conclusion unanimously across all three parties that at the moment we did not feel able to support the project. Having been fairly enthusiastic until recently, the potential knock-on effect to council taxpayers in Sefton was the crucial factor. We could not look at the tram in isolation. It is set against a background of us not expecting particularly generous Revenue Support Grant (annual council funding from government) over the next couple of years.”

He concluded: "We're all very down about it. We've all put our hands up and said we support the tram and think it's a good idea and we still do. We are hopeful the Government sees we have looked at all the issues, digs deep and comes up with more money. Without it, the project is struggling."

Liverpool City Council leader Mike Storey said: “I can understand how Sefton feel and they have been hugely supportive. But even in these dying days we should try to go that extra mile and see if we can make it happen."
Source: icLiverpool

FURTHER OBJECTIONS WITHDRAWN IN EDINBURGH
Sunday 18 September 2005
Two further major objections have been withdrawn to the Edinburgh Tram plan with BAA (owner of Edinburgh airport) and Scottish Natural Heritage coming out in support of the plans.

BAA were due to give evidence at a parliamentary committee but they pulled out following discussion with tie and Edinburgh City Council. BAA had raised concerns about the impact on its own plans for a £1 billion expansion and wanted to know further information about the planned route and proposed location of the tram stop at the airport. They have now managed to persuade tie to guarantee that a single transport hub will be created at the airport. The objection originally was connected to Line 2 of the tramway.

Richard Jeffrey, managing director of Edinburgh Airport said: “We are pleased to have reached this important agreement with TIE and look forward to working with them to integrate the tram system at the airport."

His comments were echoed by Michael Howell, chief executive of tie: “Integration between different modes of transport is one of the most important factors in the success of the trams project. It's vital we do the detailed work required to get it right. This agreement is a particularly important step for the tram project, as it means not only do we integrate tram and bus at the airport, which is key for the success of the project, but we also integrate with the proposed Edinburgh Airport Rail Link, creating Scotland's biggest transport hub."

Meanwhile, Scottish Natural Heritage preceded BAA by withdrawing their objection at the beginning of the month. They had originally been concerned about the trams impact on the wildlife and amenity aspects of the Roseburn Corridor, bird populations in the Firth of Forth and geological features in the Wardie Shore area. But now, after discussions with tie, they are satisfied their concerns have been answered.

Iain Rennick, SNH’s area manager for Forth and Borders said: “The proposed tram system has been a challenge for us. We are keen to see more use made of sustainable transport solutions, but this must not be at the cost of the environment when building the routes. We have worked with tie to explain our concerns and find solutions to them. We are now content that the written assurances we have been given, allied to the legal protection which exists for designated sites and species, are sufficient for us to withdraw our objections. This does not mean that this is the end of our involvement, as we will be involved with tie in monitoring the work as it progresses."

Mr Howell from tie added: “As the key body which looks after our natural environment, tie is delighted to have been able to work with Scottish Natural Heritage to ease its concerns, leading to the withdrawal of all of its objections, particularly in the highly visible Roseburn Corridor. tie has given a solid commitment to work with SNH throughout the process of delivering Edinburgh’s tram network, and we look forward to developing our joint relationship as the plans progress.”
Source: The Scotsman & tramtime

SERCO DOCKLANDS WIN AGAIN AT NATIONAL RAIL AWARDS
Sunday 18 September 2005
For the sixth successive National Rail Awards (NRA) Serco Docklands have walked away with a major award, this time it is for Outstanding Achievement.

At the awards ceremony, held on 1 September at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, Nigel Harris (Managing Editor of Rail Magazine), called the company in a “league of its own” as the award was presented to Neil McLean, Managing Director of Serco Docklands.

Mr McLean said: “This award reflects the hard work and devotion of all our staff in making the DLR one of the most admired railways in the country.”

The judges were particularly impressed with the operation of services during the World Travel Market in November 2004 when the company “demonstrated in a single day that it knows how to run an efficient railway… reach new heights in passenger numbers and at the same time deliver record performance.” During this event on 10 November 2004 205, 708 passengers travelled on the system with trains running at 99.2% reliability.

Serco Docklands have previously won five awards at the ceremony with Best Light Rail/Metro in 2000, Best Operator in 2001 and 2002 and the Best London Suburban Operator in 2003 and 2004.

Jonathan Fox, Director of DLR Ltd, said: “'I am delighted that Serco Docklands has been honoured in this way. This prestigious award reflects their contribution to the continued success of Docklands Light Railway.”
Source: Docklands Light Railway

MOCK TRAM ARRIVES IN EDINBURGH
Sunday 18 September 2005
A lifesize tram has arrived in Edinburgh as part of a campaign to win over sceptical Edinburgh residents. The tram is the same mock up as that which was in Nottingham and is being displayed in East Princes Street Gardens, just as another crucial stage in the Parliamentary process comes.

The replica tram has arrived at the same time as tie have issued pictures of what trams will look like on Edinburgh’s streets – artists impressions showing four different types of tram in four different areas (these images can be seen on the website, follow the link below and then go to News Room).

Michael Howell, from tie, said: “These pictures allow us to see what modern trams could really look like in Edinburgh, and how they can blend in with the existing environment. Until now, we have only been able to imagine how the tram will look in our streets, and some are worried that they will spoil the environment. We hope that the pictures will allow the public to share our vision and be reassured that the modern trams we hope to deliver will complement our city, as they have other leading European cities."

The mock-up tram will be able to be inspected by members of the public until 23 September between 9am and 6pm.
Source: The Scotsman & tramtime

CROYDON TRAMLINK NEWS UPDATE
Sunday 18 September 2005
The stop for Centrale at Tamworth Road in Central Croydon looks likely not to open in time for Christmas, but should open on 7 January 2006, report the Unofficial Croydon Tramlink website. This is likely as tram drivers have been told a new roster will not come into effect until after Christmas and a new wave of tram drivers have not yet started their training courses – they will be needed for the new timetable. Also, new bus timetables are due to come into effect on 7 January 2006 across the capital.

Two further trams have had the new seat covers fitted – 2537 and 2552. This work is being undertaken by a specialist contractor.

Last Saturday (10 September) saw further delays caused to Tramlink by a broken down bus. This incident occurred at Tamworth Road when a bus managed to run out of diesel at 1445, blocking the tramway for 2 hours. It eventually had to be towed away as they could not get it to move.

For full and detailed news on the latest goings on in Croydon, visit the Unofficial Croydon Tramlink Website.
Source: Unofficial Croydon Tramlink

EDINBURGH FEARS FOR FUTURE OF BUS ROUTES
Sunday 18 September 2005
Fears have been raised in Edinburgh about the number of bus routes which will be axed as a result of the proposed tram system.

A new body has recently been set up – Transport Edinburgh Limited (TEL), made up of Lothian Buses, tie and the city council, in order to oversee the integration of trams and buses in the city. It has been pledged that the two modes of transport will not run in direct competition with each other, and this will obviously mean some bus routes will have to be axed to make way for the trams.

One senior transport source has hit out at tie, saying they have failed to provide the public with enough information on how many bus services it thinks will need to be withdrawn. Originally, tie predicted that there would be 13 major changes in bus services including a 45 per cent reduction in the number of buses in Leith Walk. The source said: “Having realised that they made a hash of their first attempt at predicting what will happen to Edinburgh's buses, TIE is desperately trying to back-pedal. They have a major public relations disaster on their hands and they need to be more honest and open about what will happen when trams come in."

One of the objections to be heard at a Parliamentary Committee comes from the Blackhall Community Association who are concerned about bus services in Edinburgh. Their chairwoman, Tina Woolnough said: “We are extremely concerned about what will happen to bus services in Edinburgh. The vast majority of tram passengers are expected to transfer from buses, not from private cars. Tram stops are at least 700 metres apart - bus stops are 350 metres apart. People will have to walk further and make more changes in their journeys than they do now. This is not the way to make public transport more attractive.”

A spokeswoman from tie said: “The integration work is continuing and while it is too early to provide the detail, the integration of bus and tram will have an impact on the current bus service - in some cases with a reduction in service where alternatives are available, but with resources relocated elsewhere and additional or new bus services provided to create a joined-up network of buses and trams. Integration is key to the improvement of public transport. The result will be a much more efficient and accessible transport service throughout Edinburgh."
Source: The Scotsman