Service area West Midlands Headquarters Wednesbury Fleet 21 | Daily ridership 14,000 Founded 30 May 1999 Service type Tram | |
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Locale Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Sandwell, Destinations Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Sandwell, Operator National Express West Midlands Website National Express Midland Metro Parent organization Transport for West Midlands | ||
National express midland metro t 69 trams on the midland metro 24th june 2014
National Express Midland Metro is the name of the company that operates the Midland Metro tram system between Birmingham and Wolverhampton in the UK. Midland Metro is a fully owned subsidiary of the National Express Group, who also owns the local bus company National Express West Midlands. The National Express Midland Metro brand name and logo are not carried on trams and on most publicity, just 'The Metro' branding with the exception of the latest printed timetable. National Express Midland Metro does not own the Midland Metro: it is owned by Transport for West Midlands.
Contents
National express midland metro t69 no11 departing birmingham snow hill 31st january 2014
History
It was originally built and operated by Altram, a consortium now wholly owned by National Express. Midland Metro was specified and financed by the West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive (Centro), TfWM's predecessor. The operating company was previously named Travel Midland Metro in keeping with National Express's previous naming structure to subsidiary companies.
Future
The on-street extension in Birmingham city centre began operation to Bull Street on 6th December 2015. Trams to New Street station now run further to New Stre t. A fleet of 20 new trams is on order and the following changes are planned:
National Express will continue to operate the existing and extended system until the end of the concession in 2018, at which time the system will be retendered.
Operations
The Metro operates from 0443 until 0029 Monday-Friday with a frequency of every 10 minutes off-peak, at evenings and weekends the frequency is every 15 minutes. This equates to 1.67 million km operated per annum.
National Express are responsible for: Day-to-day running of the tram system - ensuring a safe and punctual service. Operating the control centre. Signalling on off-street sections and linking in with Wolverhampton's Urban Traffic Control Centre when using on-street sections. Ticket sales at Travel Shops and on board with customer service personnel. Security - participation in 'Park Mark' and 'Safer Tram Stop' accreditation. Maintenance and landscaping of tram stops. Light and heavy maintenance of the vehicles and infrastructure. Liaison with Centro on planning, designing and constructing the Birmingham City Centre extension although Centro are responsible for procuring this.
Fleet
The fleet consists of 21 CAF Urbos 3 quad-articulated vehicles.