- CAF Urbos 3 tram
- CAF tramPriestfieldjun2017.JPG (267.06 KiB) Viewed 12374 times
I recently had the opportunity to ride on the Midland Metro trams from Birmingham. Opened in 1999, the route is 13 miles (21 klm) and mainly uses dedicated tracks along the route of a disused railway, except at the terminals, where the track is laid in the streets and mixes with other traffic. The Birmingham terminus is adjacent to New Street station and enables interchange with the National Rail Network. The tracks run via West Bromwich and Wednesbury to Worverhampton. The tram terminates at St Georges Wolverhampton a short walk to the bus and railway stations. The section from Priestfield to St George is closed for 6 months while 'essential track maintenance' is carried out, which entails relaying the track along Bilston Road. A replacement bus service is operating.
The present trams are 21 CAF Urbos 3 replacing earlier Italian built T-69 s. The track is standard gauge and the overhead wires carry 750volts DC. Passenger capacity is 208, with 52 seated and space for 2 wheel chairs.
Monday to Saturday the trams run at 6-8 minute intervals in the day and evenings and Sunday 15 minutes. Journey time is 40 minutes end to end when operating the full length of the line.
There are 26 unmanned stations with low level platforms. Passengers access the platforms across the tracks on the dedicated track section, which are paved between the platforms to form a level walking surface. The trams carry conductors and tickets are purchased on the tram, on line or using the Swift card.
It is planned to extend the line to other parts of the West Midlands but at present is a single route of double track. The depot is at Wednesbury.