Trams background information

Tram Info package (pdf, 1027 kb)

Benefits

Alternative to trams

Edinburgh’s tram network has Parliamentary approval. Work started on-street in late Spring 2007 and it is anticipated that trams will be up and running in 2012. See the tram route map here.

The Final Business Case was approved by the City of Edinburgh Council on 25 October 2007. The tram is considered to be affordable, viable, necessary to link the growing areas of the city and the benefits significantly outweigh the costs.

Further archive information is available on the Trams for Edinburgh web-site. There is funding available of £545m: £500m from Transport Scotland and £45m from The City of Edinburgh Council (mainly from developer contribution and land sales). An independent review of the Council’s contribution found it to be sound, realistic and achievable – for more information, see information on the indepedent review of tram funding.

Key facts
1) The tram network will be phased in with the central spine, Airport to Newhaven, coming into operation in 2012.

2) The Granton Square to Haymarket link will follow if funding is secured.

3) It is proposed that an initial frequency of six trams per hour will run across the first phase. This will climb to 12 an hour from St Andrew Square to the foot of Leith Walk.

4) 27 trams will be purchased – at 40m long each will carry up to 250 people.

5) Fares will be the same on both buses and trams. Ridacards and Day Tickets will be valid on both trams and buses.

6) Forecasts show an operating profit for Transport Edinburgh Limited, the body that will run an integrated bus and tram network, from year 2.

Future ambitions include:

• Phase 2 - closing the loop at the Waterfront

• Phase 3 - a link from the airport to Newbridge

• Lines to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, Newcraighall, Livingston, Dalkeith, Musselburgh and Queensferry