Transport for West Midlands and West Midlands Metro are celebrating the return of passenger numbers on the network to pre-Covid passenger numbers following the release of the latest statistics from the Department for Transport (which actually took place in September 2024, although staffing numbers were revised at the end of February 2025 which seems to have given a nudge to celebrate the numbers!). The year to the end of March 2024 saw over 8 million journeys recorded on the network \u2013 its highest number ever.<\/p>\n
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In total there were 8.3 million passenger journeys recorded in 2023\/24. This beat the previous record year of 2019 which saw 8 million journeys and was a 53.7% increase over the numbers in 2023.<\/p>\n
The increase has been attributed to the opening of the full Birmingham Westside extension in 2022 and then the Wolverhampton Station line in 2023. Its also helped that the network has been running a full service following the service suspension after the discovery of cracks on the Urbos3 trams which needed repairing.<\/p>\n
Richard Parker, Mayor of West Midlands, was delighted with the news: \u201cPassenger numbers on the Metro are back to where they should be, and that\u2019s a direct result of the investment in our network. Topping 8.3 million journeys shows that people trust the Metro to get them to the places they need to be including work and school.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe tram is an essential part of my vision to create an affordable, reliable and accessible transport network \u2013 which is why I was please to confirm the next stage of the Black Country Metro extension recently.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will keep pushing to make transport better for everyone, making sure it connects people to the jobs, services and opportunities they need.”<\/p>\n
The network is continuing to be expanded with work already underway on two further extensions. The first of these will be phase one of the Black Country line which will run as far as Dudley, this line will then be further extended to Merry Hill (with the possibility of it then going to Brierley Hill). The Birmingham Eastside extension will also be completed, this will again be a two phase opening with it originally getting as far as the Clayton Hotel before it eventually goes to Digbeth via the HS2 Station.<\/p>\n
These extensions are being made possible thanks to funding from the government\u2019s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement.<\/p>\n
Sophie Allison, Managing Director of Midland Metro Limited (operators of the tramway), said: \u201cThanks to the hard work and dedication of the entire Metro team, our system is even busier than before the pandemic, and I\u2019m delighted to be leading them into a new era.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese welcome figures come just weeks after our recent satisfaction survey showed that customer satisfaction also continues to reach new heights and, as we look towards further expansion, our focus will be on further enhancing the passenger experience for the thousands of people who rely on us every day.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe continued growth and popularity of the Metro is a testament to the region\u2019s commitment to improving transport for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Transport for West Midlands and West Midlands Metro are celebrating the return of passenger numbers on the network to pre-Covid passenger numbers following the release of the latest statistics from the Department for Transport (which actually took place in September … Continue reading