West Midlands Metro question

[Chris217]

Whilst visiting Birmingham yesterday,I noticed that the trams around Grand Central stops were running in battery mode rather than pantograph up even though the wires are there.
Is this common practice now during Street operation or was there a problem.
TIA

 

[Alasdair Clift]

Whilst visiting Birmingham yesterday,I noticed that the trams around Grand Central stops were running in battery mode rather than pantograph up even though the wires are there.
Is this common practice now during Street operation or was there a problem.
TIA

It’s been like that the last few weeks from what I’ve observed. It’s not unheard of for them to use battery though even where wires are present. At various points I’ve seen them use battery between Brindleyplace and Five Ways and while sat at Edgbaston Village despite all those spots having wires fitted.

There was a fairly hefty power failure a number of weeks ago from what I recall and it was around that time they appeared to start running on battery along the city extension so it might be related to that?

 

[Chris217]

It’s been like that the last few weeks from what I’ve observed. It’s not unheard of for them to use battery though even where wires are present. At various points I’ve seen them use battery between Brindleyplace and Five Ways and while sat at Edgbaston Village despite all those spots having wires fitted.

There was a fairly hefty power failure a number of weeks ago from what I recall and it was around that time they appeared to start running on battery along the city extension so it might be related to that?

Thanks for your reply.