Midland Metro - full closure from Saturday 13 November 2021 (also Sydney)

[philosopher]

As a local to B'ham I have used the tram service often enough and local reports
have told us that the problem with the majority of these trams has been serious
visible cracks between the door and floor frames. for the benefit of those who
not yet aware there were 8 NEW trams delivered in early January from the same manufacturer no's 038 to 045 .currently holed up at the wednesbury depot can we assume these units are/will be trouble free?...the entire business is a disgrace

I do wonder what the long term implications are of these closures are. To be blunt the Midland Metro has never had that great ridership, with usage for the initial section between Snow Hill and Wolverhampton being far lower than predicted. The opening of section between Snow Hill and New Street did however led to a considerable increase in ridership

However the past two years have seen the section between Snow Hill and New Street being closed for several months due to the track having to be relaid only after a couple years and then two lengthy full closures due to the cracks issue. To have so many problems to me does suggest there are some serious management issues with the Midland Metro. Will passengers return, or will the Midland Metro be so associated with screwups that they switch back to buses. I suspect Midland Metro have quite a bit of work to do to regain passengers’ trust.

 

[Robertj21a]

This Metro seems to have struggled, and been a bit of a problem, for some years now. Long delays in getting any extensions completed and operational, trams that never seem to work properly, passenger numbers not very high etc etc.
Is it ever going to be considered a success?

 

[duncanp]

This Metro seems to have struggled, and been a bit of a problem, for some years now. Long delays in getting any extensions completed and operational, trams that never seem to work properly, passenger numbers not very high etc etc.
Is it ever going to be considered a success?

The extension along Broad Street to Brindley Place, Five Ways and Edgbaston Village should provide a lot of extra custom for the tram service, provided it can be operated reliably.

 

[Liam L]

Does anyone have the numbers of the new trams which have already been delivered to Wednesbury?

Since the service resumed in December (Before it came off again in March), I have only seen Tram 38.

Thanks

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Does anyone have the numbers of the new trams which have already been delivered to Wednesbury?

Yes, that was posted a couple of days ago:

For the benefit of those who
not yet aware there were 8 NEW trams delivered in early January from the same manufacturer no's 038 to 045.

 

[duncanp]

I was on a train between Wolverhampton and Birmingham yesterday which was diverted via Bescot and the Soho line due to a points failure.

As the train sat at yet another red signal at Winson Green, I saw a tram on a test run passing through the Winson Green tram stop.

They seem to be taking a very relaxed view about when the might restore the service. Wwhilst the website still says that they expect to restore service by the end of May, the fact that it is now the 15th May, and there has been no update to the website since 8th April, doesn't give me a lot of confidence that anything is going to happen in the next two weeks.

As for the extension to Edgbaston Village, the tram stop at the terminus still hasn't been finished, and the grass in between the tram tracks is growing so high that it needs cutting and weeding.

All rather embarrassing really.

 

[Liam L]

As the train sat at yet another red signal at Winson Green, I saw a tram on a test run passing through the Winson Green tram stop.

I believe it’s only the new trams which have been out, on route familiarisation runs.

 

[duncanp]

I believe it’s only the new trams which have been out, on route familiarisation runs.

Yes, it's so long since there has been a regular tram service, I can see why there might have to be route familiarisation runs.

The lack of communication over reopening is rather worrying though.

I would have expected there to be an update says something along the lines of "..we are still expecting to resume services in May..."

 

[Liam L]

The lack of communication over reopening is rather worrying though.

It really isn't good that they haven’t kept customers updated.

There official Twitter account hasn’t been updated since the start of April.

 

[percy vere]

on a visit to central birmingham on saturday (14th May) there were
trams advertised on a reduced frequency and people waiting for services
from New st to wolves but the ext line (library) beyond New st was closed
we are still waiting for the new cross city units and 196 units to enter service

Can anyone tell me if/where I can find the new liverpool 777 units
stabled on mersey side.?.I imagine kirkdale is an obvious stabling
point ..is it worth making trips to ,say, chester? or southport? Thanks

 

[Liam L]

we are still waiting for the new cross city units and 196 units to enter service

probably won’t be till next year now till the new cross city units enter service

trams advertised on a reduced frequency and people waiting for services
from New st to wolves but the ext line (library) beyond New st was closed

didn’t know it was back running again? It definitely wasn’t Thursday.

 

[DaveHarries]

I do wonder what the long term implications are of these closures are. To be blunt the Midland Metro has never had that great ridership, with usage for the initial section between Snow Hill and Wolverhampton being far lower than predicted. The opening of section between Snow Hill and New Street did however led to a considerable increase in ridership

Have to disagree with you slightly on that: I have used the Metro during the day both at peak and off-peak times on quite a few occasions and found the trams to be quite busy. That has been on Mondays to Fridays though: I have never used them at weekends.

Dave

 

[philosopher]

Have to disagree with you slightly on that: I have used the Metro during the day both at peak and off-peak times on quite a few occasions and found the trams to be quite busy. That has been on Mondays to Fridays though: I have never used them at weekends.

Dave

On Wikipedia it says use before the extension opened was 5 million compared to the 14 to 20 million predicted.

Usage on the initial line averaged about five million passenger journeys annually, but numbers remained static for many years. This was not seen as successful, as 14 to 20 million passengers per year had been projected.

West Midlands Metro - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Use before Covid and the closures had increased to 8 million a year, which is still way below initial expectations. Of course it could be that passenger projections were unrealistic.

 

[duncanp]

On Wikipedia it says use before the extension opened was 5 million compared to the 14 to 20 million predicted.

West Midlands Metro - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Use before Covid and the closures had increased to 8 million a year, which is still way below initial expectations. Of course it could be that passenger projections were unrealistic.

The Wikipedia article also says

Passenger numbers increased sharply following the opening of the extension into Birmingham city centre in June 2016, with figures for 2016/17 exceeding six million for the first time

I have no doubt that when the extension to Edgbaston Village finally opens passenger numbers will increase even further, as it provides easy access to the hotels, bars and restaurants in and around Broad Street.

It has now been announced that Broad Street will reopen to buses from Sunday 5th June following completion of the Metro works.

5th June Broad Street reopening

Find out which services will be serving Broad Street again...

nxbus.co.uk

There was another article in the Birmingham Mail recently saying that testing on the Edgbaston Village extension would continue througout June, and then a date for the commencement of passenger services over the extension would be announced.

No word on the resumption of services over the rest of the line yet. The website still says by the end of May, and I expect the first we will hear about it is when it happens. (ie. they won't announce the date in advance)

 

[P Binnersley]

I've just received an email from Midland Metro - Services to restart between Wolverhampton and Birmingham (Bull Street) week commencing 5th June.

Metro Service Update

Thank you for your patience and understanding while Metro services have been suspended.

We can confirm that tram services will resume during week commencing Sunday June 5, between Wolverhampton St George’s and Bull Street.

Work to replace body panels on the 2G trams is progressing in line with the agreed programme and the testing and commissioning of the 3G trams is almost complete.

We continue to work alongside the manufacturer to accelerate the repair programme and get more trams back on our network, serving all stops as soon and as safely as possible. This includes recruiting more engineers to carry out the specialist repair work as well as moving trams off-site to a third-party facility – with the first tram leaving the depot earlier this week.

Despite assurances that enough trams would be available for services to resume at the end of May, we have been informed that this is now not possible until the following week due to snagging work which needs to be completed before the trams meet the quality standards required to be accepted for service.

To ensure that we do not delay returning to service any further than absolutely necessary, some trams will be running without being fully wrapped in their livery. This will not impact their safety or performance.

We are sorry for the impact that this interruption to our services has had on our customers daily lives, and the inconvenience that it has caused to your travel arrangements.

Once we have a date for service to resume during the week, please visit our Website or Twitter page.

We are looking forward to welcoming you back on board soon.

Metro Service Status & Planned Works | West Midlands Metro

See the latest service information and updates from West Midlands Metro, including planned works in the future.

westmidlandsmetro.com

 

[Liam L]

I've just received an email from Midland Metro - Services to restart between Wolverhampton and Birmingham (Bull Street) week commencing 5th June.

Metro Service Status & Planned Works | West Midlands Metro

See the latest service information and updates from West Midlands Metro, including planned works in the future.

westmidlandsmetro.com

Finally some good news at last! Hopefully it won't long till it's back up to Library (or even Five ways)

 

[furgus2]

The Express and Star is reporting that Metro services will resume this Thursday between Wolverhampton St George’s and Birmingham Bull St

West Midlands Metro Trams set for return on Thursday after third suspension in nine months

West Midlands Metro services will finally resume on Thursday, after being suspended for over two and a half months.

www.expressandstar.com

 

[duncanp]

The Express and Star is reporting that Metro services will resume this Thursday between Wolverhampton St George’s and Birmingham Bull St

West Midlands Metro Trams set for return on Thursday after third suspension in nine months

West Midlands Metro services will finally resume on Thursday, after being suspended for over two and a half months.

www.expressandstar.com

Also confirmed on the West Midlands Metro website.

Initially every 12 - 15 minutes between Wolverhampton and Bull Street.

But don't pop the champagne corks just yet, because on certain dates in June and July there are (would you believe it)....

...engineering works

Sunday 12 June until Wednesday 15 June:

• From 22:00 trams will operate between Wolverhampton St George’s and Black Lake only.
• There will be no services after 22:00 between Black Lake and Birmingham city centre on these days.

Sunday 19 June:

• From 22:00 trams will operate between Wolverhampton St George’s and Wednesbury Parkway only.
• There will be no services after 22:00 between Wednesbury Parkway and Birmingham city centre.

Replacement bus timetable between Wednesbury Parkway and Birmingham City Centre

Monday 20 until Wednesday 22 June and
Sunday 26 until Wednesday 29 June and
Sunday 3 and Monday 4 July:

• From 22:00 trams will operate between Wednesbury Parkway and Bull Street only.
• There will be no services after 22:30 between Wolverhampton St George’s and Wednesbury Parkway on these days.

You would have though they could use the near three month suspension of service to avoid some of this work, but I suppose that is too logical.

Any bets on when service to Library will resume?

Presumably the extension to Edgbaston Village won't open until they have got a gardening contractor to come and cut down the weeds growing in the grass between the tracks. It is getting really embarrassing now.

 

[david1212]

Services did restart today. 12 out of 21 trams available.

Contingency plans of more buses for the Commonwealth games

West Midlands Metro: Service returns after two-months of repairs

A limited service between Wolverhampton and Birmingham is now up and running.

www.bbc.co.uk

Trams resumed between Wolverhampton St George's and Birmingham Bull Street stations from around 05:00 BST.

A limited service is now being offered with trams running every 12 to 15 minutes.

At the moment 12 out of a fleet of 21 trams are available, with more expected out on the tracks in July.

Contingency plans, including extra buses and coaches, have been put in place for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games in July.

 

[bramling]

Have to disagree with you slightly on that: I have used the Metro during the day both at peak and off-peak times on quite a few occasions and found the trams to be quite busy. That has been on Mondays to Fridays though: I have never used them at weekends.

Dave

Quite busy, but on a low frequency, so not massive numbers overall, especially if compared to something like Metrolink.

 

[P Binnersley]

I travelled around on the Metro today (Saturday). Trams seemed to operating at just over seating capacity (52 people) on a 12 minute frequency. Quieter than usual, but it was only the 3rd day back (and no football).

 

[duncanp]

And now we know that the extension to Wolverhampton station will not be ready in time for the Commonwealth Games, as testing will not start until after the games have finished.

I think they are concentrating on restoring services to Library, and the extension up along Broad Street, for which testing has already started, with Borad Street reopened to traffic last week.

West Midlands Metro extension not ready for Commonwealth Games

The new stretch of line in Wolverhampton was originally due to open last year.

www.bbc.co.uk

West Midlands Metro extension not ready for Commonwealth Games​

A tram extension in Wolverhampton will now not open until later this year, despite hopes it would be completed in time for the Commonwealth Games.
The Games start in nearby Birmingham on 28 July and Wolverhampton will host the cycling time trial.
Construction has been ongoing to join up Wolverhampton railway station with the St George's stop across the city.
The extension has already been pushed back by 18 months due to hold ups related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The construction of the city's railway station has also affected work.
Midland Metro Alliance (MMA) said on Friday testing would begin after the Games, which run until 8 August.
A spokesperson for the MMA, which is building the extension under contract from the West Midlands Combined Authority, said the majority of construction activity was "set to be completed in early July", but "some minor public realm works" would not be finished before the Games.
They added the work was part of a "complex interchange project".
West Midlands Metro trams were back in service on Thursday after repairs that took more than two months.
Trams resumed between Wolverhampton St George's and Birmingham Bull Street stations after services were suspended in March when cracks were discovered in the fleet for a third time.

 

[Turbo004]

And now we know that the extension to Wolverhampton station will not be ready in time for the Commonwealth Games, as testing will not start until after the games have finished.

I think they are concentrating on restoring services to Library, and the extension up along Broad Street, for which testing has already started, with Borad Street reopened to traffic last week.

West Midlands Metro extension not ready for Commonwealth Games

The new stretch of line in Wolverhampton was originally due to open last year.

www.bbc.co.uk

I'm planning on a trip to Birmingham in August (not sure of exact date). What do people think of the chances of the extension to Edgbaston being open?

 

[duncanp]

I'm planning on a trip to Birmingham in August (not sure of exact date). What do people think of the chances of the extension to Edgbaston being open?

I think it is quite likely that the extension to Edgbaston Village will be open in time for the Commonwealth Games at the end of July.

Testing has started on this route, and Broad Street has recently reopened to traffic, including buses.

It is possible that the extension to Edgbaston will open at the same time as the service is extended beyond Bull Street. I think it depends on progress in repairing trams, and the results of testing on the extension.

Tram travels along city extension for first time as testing of new route gets under way

As engineers race against time to get trouble-hit Metro tram services back in action before the start of the Commonwealth Games the first test on one of the extension lines has gone ahead.

www.expressandstar.com

West Midlands Metro starts testing new route as first tram travels along Birmingham extension​

As engineers race against time to get trouble-hit Metro tram services back in action before the start of the Commonwealth Games the first test on one of the extension lines has gone ahead.

Metro bosses are still unable to give an exact date for the return of the services - suspended when more cracks were found in the trams – other than to say Wolverhampton to Birmingham services are expected to resume at the end of May.
However undeterred by the problems a 3G tram made its way along the Birmingham Westside Metro extension from the Library terminus to the end of the new line at Edgbaston Village, marking the start of testing and commissioning of the newly laid track in Birmingham.
Further trials will now see trams running across the route over the coming weeks in preparation for the much-anticipated launch of passenger services in June.

Peter Cushing is the director of the Midland Metro Alliance (MMA), which is designing and delivering the extension on behalf of Transport for West Midlands.
He said: "It is fantastic that the first tram has now travelled along Broad Street as testing of the new route begins.

"This marks a significant milestone in the project and shows just how close we are to opening for passenger services.

"It is exciting to think that we will soon see passengers waiting at the new tram stops that we have recently built. The first tram test has proved a success and I would like to thank the team who have worked incredibly hard to reach this important phase in the project."

As well as providing the opportunity for the vital testing of tracks, signals and other infrastructure, the extensive testing programme also allows people to get used to trams travelling at low speeds along Broad Street and Hagley Road ahead of services opening to the public.
Cristian Bostan, head of integration at MMA, said: "Testing and commissioning is an important phase which involves running out of service trams at low speeds along the newly installed track, allowing engineers to complete a series of tests in a working environment. I am delighted that we have now reached this essential phase in the project."
John Ellison, head of heath, safety, environment and quality at the MMA, added: "Trams travel across city streets all across the world and it’s a really safe method of public transport. With the Birmingham Westside Metro extension now beginning testing, trams will be moving very frequently in places they previously didn’t. We wrote to people in the area this week reminding them of safety tips to stay alert as our programme continues."

 

[317 forever]

Yes, I saw that article preparing us that the Wolverhampton extension would not be open in time for the Commonwealth Games.

Given that the Games are in Birmingham, I can appreciate the urgency to have the main service running, preferably with the Birmingham extension.

I covered buses in Wolverhampton, Walsall, Sutton Coldfield and Erdington last October. Next month I intend to just use Wolverhampton as a stop-off point to buy a Daytripper, then ride buses in Birmingham, Dudley and nearby areas.

Looking ahead somewhat, maybe 2 or 3 years from now I do Metro extensions to Wolverhampton station and Brierley Hill, plus class 196 and 730 trains, on the same trip.

 

[Spirit555]

Trams running recently have been 21, 22, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 and 45. Only 8 trams are operating the complete circuit at present.

Mark

 

[tomuk]

Yes, I saw that article preparing us that the Wolverhampton extension would not be open in time for the Commonwealth Games.

Given that the Games are in Birmingham, I can appreciate the urgency to have the main service running, preferably with the Birmingham extension.

The games aren't just in Birmingham they are hosted across the West Midlands and even the Velodrome in London. Wolverhampton is hosting the Cycling Time Trial event.

 

[wandacat]

The games aren't just in Birmingham they are hosted across the West Midlands and even the Velodrome in London. Wolverhampton is hosting the Cycling Time Trial event.

I find the promotion to get the trams ready for Commonwealth games strange.

Last time I checked there is no tram line anywhere near the main stadium in Perry Barr and the site of the Aquatics centre in West Smethwick is a joke. (Poor bus links to Birmingham usually. Bus links are to West Bromwich and Bearwood) no nearby train station and situated around B roads, never mind a tram link)

One of the plans for the aquatic centre is to bus people in from Tesco car park in West Bromwich (The multi story that is never open) which is the opposite side of West Brom to the Metro station. I suspect that this is the option for cars travelling from outside the area to the aquatics centre will be forced to use as there is no public parking at the aquatics centre and the nearby roads are all blocked off, based on a recent test event.

I also predict the Aquatics centre is a future white elephant, built in the wrong place with poor transport links. Ironically there is a large brownfield site next to Sandwell and Dudley train station now being developed that would have been perfect and on very good local and national transport links.

 

[duncanp]

The tram is one of the recommended means of transport to the Aquatics Centre and the venues in Wolverhampton.

I guess they could run shuttle bus services from West Bromwich bus station and/or Smethwick Galton Bridge station. It certainly doesn't make sense to bus people from a Tesco car park miles from anywhere, but there seems to be very little detail, with only a few weeks to go, about extra bus services.

I agree that the location of the Aquatics centre is wrong. The existing bus services from the centre of Birmingham that go anywhere near the centre are the 12, 12A and 89. Buses 48 and 48A provide connections from West Bromwich. However they will not be able to cope with the numbers of people using the centre during the Games, or at any point in the future when there is a large event on.

 

[P Binnersley]

As for the extension to Edgbaston Village, the tram stop at the terminus still hasn't been finished, and the grass in between the tram tracks is growing so high that it needs cutting and weeding.

The gardener has visited and the grass has had a haircut. There are stop boards approx. half way down the platforms.

A hoarding has been erected on the platform next to the Hagley Road. The one outstanding job is to convert the current temporary pavement back into a traffic lane which will involved relevelling the carriageway (and possible drainage). The hoarding should allow this to be done after the Metro is open and pedestrians are re-routed through the station.