Talk:Midland Metro/text-dump

Latest comment: 15 years ago by Ucebaggie in topic Tram-Train

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what are Centro doing edit

Centro have lots of new plans for the trams in Birmingham and the Black Country —Preceding unsigned comment added by 213.122.8.150 (talk) 17:25, 13 January 2008 (UTC)Reply

The Trams edit

Wolverhampton St Georges 1st The Royal 2nd Priestfield 3rd The Cresent 4th Bilston Central 5th Loxdale 6th Bradley Lane 7th Wednesbury Parkway 8th Wednesbury Great Western Street 9th Black Lake 10th Dudley Street Guns Village 11th Dartmouth Street 12th Lodge Road West Bromwich 13th West Bromwich Central 14th Trinity Way 15 Kenrick Park 16th, The Hawthorns 17th, Handsworth Booth Street 18th, Winson Green Outer Circle 19th, Soho Benson Road 20th, Jellerwy Quater 21st, St Pauls 22nd, Birmingham Snow Hill 23rd, [where tram terminates at]

the new tram edit

there is going to be a tram called the billy wright tram names after the ex england and wolves captain who sadly died a while back —Preceding unsigned comment added by 213.122.8.150 (talk) 17:42, 13 January 2008 (UTC)Reply


who is Jeff Astle edit

Jeff Astle is one of the new trams and he is Robert Jacksons best tram he has pink and silver paint he runs on the tracks and he was fixed by the minor incident that happened in 2006 when he collided into another tram he runs from Wolverhampton St Georges to Birmingham Snow Hill via Wednesbury, West Bromwich and Bilston when you are at St Pauls or the Royal to go to Birmingham Snow Hill or Wolverhampton St Georges it says"our next stop will be Wolverhampton St Georges or Birmingham Snow Hill please inshore you have all your belongings before you leave the tram thank you." aand when you leave Birmingham Snow Hill or Wolverhampton St Georges it says"our next stop will be St. Pauls or the Royal. our next stop will be St. Pauls or the Royal."

who was Jeff Astle edit

Born in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire (in the same street, or so he claimed, as D. H. Lawrence), Astle turned professional with Notts County F.C. when he was 17. His style was that of a classic centre forward; he was a protegé of the great Tommy Lawton. In 1965 he signed for West Brom for a fee of £25,000 . Of his 174 goals for the Baggies, the most notable was probably the only goal in the 1968 FA Cup final, with which he completed the feat of scoring in every round of the competition.

Two years later, Astle scored in Albion's 2-1 defeat by Manchester City in the League Cup final, becoming the first player to score in the finals of both of the major English cup competitions.

At the height of Astle's Albion career - some say on the evening of the 1968 FA Cup Final triumph [1] - the words "ASTLE IS THE KING" appeared in large white letters on the brickwork of Primrose Bridge, which carries Cradley Road over a canal in Netherton, in the heart of the Black Country. The bridge quickly became known locally as "the Astle Bridge". After the original structure was demolished, almost thirty years later, the words "ASTLE IS THE KING - PLEASE NOTE DUDLEY COUNCIL" appeared on its replacement. Following Astle's death in 2002, a campaign was launched to have the bridge officially named in his honour, but this has so far been rejected over fears of vandal attacks by supporters of rival teams, as the area has a high percentage of Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers fans.

In 1969–1970 Astle was the leading scorer in Division One with 25 goals.[1] In 1970, he was called up to the England squad for the World Cup finals tournament in Mexico. He won the first of his five caps, as a substitute, when England were a goal down against eventual champions Brazil. Many English supporters will remember his missing a relatively easy scoring chance that could have turned the outcome of the tournament in England's favour. Astle himself, in his characteristic self-effacing way, would in later years turn this famous mistake into the punchline of a rather ribald anecdote.

In subsequent years his fitness deteriorated through repeated injuries, and in 1974 he left Albion to join the South African club Hellenic. His final bow came with a brief spell at the English non-league side Dunstable Town F.C., where he teamed up with the legendary former Manchester United star George Best.

After his retirement he launched an industrial cleaning business; latterly he also made TV comedy appearances with Frank Skinner and David Baddiel on Fantasy Football League.

On 19 January 2002 Astle collapsed at his daughter's home and was taken to Queen's Hospital Burton upon Trent, where he died, aged 59.[2] The cause of death was a degenerative brain disease; failing mental ability had first become apparent as much as five years earlier. He had been an exceptional header of the ball, and the coroner found that the repeated minor trauma had been the cause of his death. (It should be noted that the leather footballs used in Astle's playing days were considerably heavier than the plastic ones of today, especially when wet). A verdict of death by industrial injury was recorded. His funeral in Derbyshire was attended by hundreds of football fans.[3] Fantasy Football League returned for a number of special editions after Astle's death; the first program being preceded by a minutes silence, in the style of those held at football matches. In November 2002, Astle's widow Lorraine said that she would take legal action over his death.[4]

Astle had been worshipped as a hero by the Albion fans, who would often sing (to the tune of Camptown Races): "Astle is the king, Astle is the king, the Brummie Roaders sing this song, Astle is the king". The chant is still heard at The Hawthorns to this day. Following his death, a campaign was launched to fund a set of gates dedicated to his memory at the ground (see picture above). The gates, which are situated on the Birmingham Road, close to the Woodman Corner, were unveiled on 11 July 2003.[5] In April 2003 Astle came the first person to have a Midland Metro tram named after him.[6][7] —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.131.1.241 (talk) 20:03, 29 March 2008 (UTC)Reply

little bit of Information on Jeff Astle edit

Full name Jeffrey Astle Date of birth 13 May 1942 Place of birth Eastwood, England Date of death January 19, 2002 (aged 59) Playing position Forward —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.131.1.241 (talk) 20:04, 29 March 2008 (UTC)Reply

Wolverhampton, Wednesfield, Willenhall, Walsall and Wednesbury edit

The Metro 5Ws route will connect Wolverhampton, Wednesfield, Willenhall, Walsall and Wednesbury, serving many residential, leisure, retail, business and regeneration areas along its route, as well as providing direct access to New Cross and Manor Hospitals.

The route is proposed to leave line 1 in Wolverhampton and loop around the city centre in a clockwise direction connecting to the bus and rail stations. Then it will run on the highway through Heath Town until diverting into the hospital grounds to serve New Cross hospital. The route continues to Willenhall running to the north of the town centre before joining a former rail route into Reedswood and Walsall. Metro will then be on street serving the town centre, bus station, rail station, Art Gallery, Leather Museum and Manor Hospital before it again joins a former rail route to Darlaston and onto Wednesbury where it connects with the bus station before joining line 1 at the Wednesbury Great Western Street stop. Through journeys to Brierley Hill or Birmingham will be possible.

There will be 25 stops on the 20.4-km route. To operate this route, an extra 15 trams will be required.

Journey Times Whole route - 42 min Wolverhampton St. George's to New Cross - 8 min New Cross to Manor Hospital - 22 min Walsall to Wednesbury - 12 min The route will serve the key regeneration areas along the way providing a sustainable and attractive form of public transport, which will open up new journey opportunities and provide access to and from many areas of employment.

Metro is a key part of the Wolverhampton Interchange project and will link the redeveloped rail and bus stations. Metro will access the proposed new town square in Wednesfield. Working with Walsall Regenco, Metro will serve the proposed new developments in the brownfield sites in Walsall Town Centre – Tesco, Walsall College and new office accommodation. The route will also serve the bus and rail station in Walsall Town Centre as well as the existing attractions. Metro will provide access to the £140 million redevelopment of the Manor Hospital. Metro will then continue on to serve the Darlaston Strategic Development area. This major strategic site of 54 acres at Darlaston has the potential to create between 2,500 and 4,500 jobs over two phases. Although requiring substantial investment to bring the land back into productive use, the creation of serviced sites to accommodate new logistics and distribution hubs will provide attractive locations for major national and international companies looking to establish a regional West Midlands. Metro will then serve the bus station in Wednesbury before joining in to line 1 and the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill route at Wednesbury Great Western Street stop.

History edit

The Act of Parliament for line 1, a 20-km route from Birmingham Snow Hill station to Wolverhampton city centre via West Bromwich, Wednesbury and Bilston received the Royal Assent in November 1989 following promotion work by West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive. In April 1990, an application for funding under Section 56 was made, and £1.5 million was granted to the project. It was announced in March 1992 that a further £3 million was to be granted by central government, increasing the project funding total to £4.5 million. In the same month, the proposals for routes on line 2 received Royal Assent. Also in March 1992 it was reported that MVA had been commissioned to prepare a Section 56 submission for line 3. In September 1991, proposals were published to connect line 1 to the Bull Ring Shopping Centre and to line 2. Consultants for the Midland Metro project have included WS Atkins, Kennedy Henderson, and Maunsells and Transport Planning Associates.[2]

Routes edit

Line 1, the 12½ mile (20.2 km) Birmingham to Wolverhampton route, was opened on 31 May 1999, and runs mostly along the trackbed of the former Great Western Railway line between the two cities, which closed to passenger trains in 1972, although part of the line remained open to goods trains for about 20 years afterwards.

At the southern end, the terminus is Birmingham Snow Hill station in Birmingham city centre. At the northern end, trams move off the former railway formation to run along streets to a terminus at St Georges in Wolverhampton city centre.

The Wednesbury Great Western Street tram stop occupies roughly the same site as the former Great Western Railway station, closed in 1964.

The contract for building the first phase of the Midland Metro was awarded to the Altram consortium in August 1995, and construction began three months later with a targeted completion date of August 1998. Trams were not up and running until nine months after that forecasted date

Expansion Plans edit

Although fewer people use the trams than expected, expansion to the system is planned, including in the near future an on-street extension through Birmingham city centre running close to Birmingham New Street Station, when the station is redeveloped, then to Five Ways (via Broad Street) and Edgbaston (one of the criticisms of the current system is that it does not serve directly the shopping area of Birmingham), and a branch from Wednesbury to the Merry Hill Shopping Centre and onto Brierley Hill town centre. An order authorising the city centre extension was made in July 2005.[3]

Line one extension edit

Line One Extension Legend

 St Chads 
 
 Bull Street 
 
 Corporation Street 
 
 Birmingham New Street  
 
 Victoria Square 
 
 Centenary Square. Alight for National Indoor Arena 
 
 Birmingham Canal Main Line 
 
 Brindleyplace. Alight for National Sea Life Centre 
 
 Five Ways 
 
 Edgbaston 

There had been talk of running the tram line through Birmingham city centre in tunnels, rather than through the streets. However the council axed this option in October 2005.[4]

The tram line will run along the street and at points such as Suffolk Queensway will go over the road on a bridge. The developers of V Building, a development alongside Suffolk Queensway, paid £5 million towards the proposed construction of the tram line along Broad Street.

Once completed it is expected the trams will operate a turn-up-and-go service, seven days a week through the centre of Birmingham, with an estimated journey time of 13 minutes between Snow Hill Station and Edgbaston Shopping Centre.

As part of the redevelopment adjacent to Snow Hill Station, a viaduct is being constructed that will carry the Metro from the current alignment into the streets of Birmingham. Once line is completed trams will no longer call at Snow Hill, But will stop at St Chads and the Bull Street tram stops.

Line 2 edit

Midland Metro Line Two Legend

 Proposed Line Two Joins Line One 
 
 Tame Valley Canal 
 
 Golds Hill 
 
 Walsall Canal 
 
 Great Bridge 
 
 Horseley Road 
 
 Dudley Port. Change here for trains to the south & north 
 
 Birmingham New Main Line Canal (under aqueduct) 
 
 Sedgley Road 
 
 Birmingham Old Main Line Canal 
 
 Birmingham New Road 
 
 Tipton Road 
 
 Dudley Town Centre for Dudley Bus station 
 
 Flood Street 
 
 New Road 
 
 Cinderbank 
 
 Parkhead Viaduct 
 
 Pedmore Road 
 
 Canal Street 
 
 Waterfront 
 
 Merry Hill 
 
 Brierley Hill 

Preliminary work on the section of the Midland Metro between Wednesbury and Brierley Hill (via Dudley) has begun. The first phase of the work started in August 2005, with the reconstruction of the 50-year-old Tipton Road overbridge in Dudley. It was completed the following year.

Where it is proposed to leave line 1 in Wednesbury, line 2 will follow the disused South Staffordshire Line, which closed in 1993, through Sandwell to Dudley. This part of the route has the potential to run alongside heavy rail, already common practice in other countries as well as along part of line 1. The line heading eastwards from Birmingham, using a new trackbed, will probably be completed later.

After sharing the railway corridor to Dudley Town Centre, the Metro will run on-street before travelling alongside the Dudley Southern Bypass and then again running along the existing railway corridor, passing through industrial and residential areas until it turns into the Waterfront/Merry Hill area to Brierley Hill.

The first trams are scheduled to begin running in 2011. At March 2007 the extension to line 2 has been officially put on hold due to financial difficulties, mainly due to compensation issues with the existing line.

According to Centro/Network West Midlands the following information is the level of service for line 2.

Journey Times Dudley to Wednesbury - 12 min 30 sec Brierley Hill to Dudley - 11 min Brierley Hill to West Bromwich - 31 min Dudley to Wolverhampton - 27 min 30 sec Dudley to Bull Street - 35 min Service Frequency Five trams per hour Brierley Hill to Wolverhampton each way Five trams per hour Brierley Hill to Edgbaston each way

Other planned extensions edit

Midland Metro/Network West Midlands has given more information on the planed extensions which are as follows. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.131.1.241 (talk) 20:11, 29 March 2008 (UTC)Reply

Birmingham city centre to Birmingham International Airport Birmingham City Centre to Great Barr and Birmingham city centre to Quinton edit

Birmingham City Centre to Great Barr A route is planned from the City Centre through Lancaster Circus and along the A34 corridor to a terminus near the M6 motorway junction 7.

A Park and Ride site is being considered for this route to attract motorists out of their cars and help to alleviate congestion on this very busy arterial route to and from the city. There will be 17 stops along the 10-km route. This route will provide a frequent link from Birmingham City Centre to Perry Barr One Stop, the Birmingham City University, Scott Arms and the Alexander Stadium. A large part of this route lies within the South Black Country and West Birmingham regeneration zone. Construction of this route is expected to help regenerate the local economy and boost employment opportunities.

Journey Times Great Barr to Bull Street - 23 min Perry Barr One Stop to Broad Street - 18 min Six Ways, Aston to New Street Station - 11 min Service Pattern Peak (07.00-19.00): every four to six minutes Off peak: every 10 minutes New high capacity vehicles will be able to carry over 200 passengers with zero emissions, reducing pollution and improving air quality in town centres.


Birmingham City Centre to Quinton

This route is planned from the Birmingham City Centre Extension terminus at Five Ways along the Hagley Road to Quinton.

Stops along the route will provide interchange with bus services and access to nearby residential, schools, leisure and shopping areas.

The route is still considering options with a possible terminus in the area of M5 junction 3 with a Park and Ride site; this would help to alleviate congestion on the Hagley Road. There will be nine stops along the 7.5-km route. Part of the route lies within the South Black Country and West Birmingham Regeneration Zone. Construction of this route is expected to help regenerate the local economy and boost employment opportunities.

Journey Times Five Ways to park and ride site - 19 min Wolverhampton Road to International Convention Centre - 16 min Park and Ride to Corporation Street - 28 min

Birmingham city centre to Birmingham International Airport

The planned route from Birmingham International Airport/ NEC will take Metro along the A45 corridor serving The Wheatsheaf, Yardley, Small Heath and Digbeth on its way into the city centre. Working in partnership with the airport expansion team, Metro will form part of its key access arrangements for staff and customers.

Consideration is still being given to locations for Park and Ride sites along this key transport corridor. There will be 18 stops along the 14-km route. A large part of this route lies within the East Birmingham and North Solihull Regeneration Zone. Construction of this route is expected to help regenerate the local economy and boost employment opportunities.

Journey Times Airport to Bull Street - 29 min Swan to Wheatsheaf - 5 min Digbeth to Airport - 23 min

Current Situation edit

Any expansion is currently on hold until a proposed review in 2008 when further funds may be released[1], this may apply only to line 2, not to the extension into Birmingham City Centre.

Vehicles and Services edit

Vehicles and services

Tram 13 on former railway sectionMetro operates a fleet of 16 Type T-69 articulated two-car trams, which were built by Ansaldobreda, S.P.A. in Italy. Vehicles are numbered 01-16 and have a top speed of 43.5 mph (70 km/h). Each tram has 56 seats and can carry 208 passengers, and also has wheelchair access. They have three entrances on each side and entered service in 1999. They have an integral master controller with a bar at the top that drivers must hold straight to mobilise the vehicle: if drivers cease to do so whilst the tram is in motion, it acts as a dead man's handle and the power is cut and the track brakes apply.

Throughout most of the day services run at eight-minute intervals, less frequently at weekends. Trams are to be repainted in the silver, pink and purple colours of Network West Midlands. The first tram to receive the updated colours is tram 9.[5], which was delivered from Crewe at the end of April. It has undergone extensive testing prior to its reintroduction to the fleet. It is also mentioned in Tramlines, an online magazine by Midland Metro. [2] The date when the refurbished tram entered service was in June, some three months later than published in the February edition of Tramlines.

Tram Names edit

Fleet Number Tram Name Livery 01 Sir Frank Whittle Midland Metro 02 Midland Metro 03 Ray Lewis Network West Midlands 04 Network West Midlands 05 Sister Dora Midland Metro 06 Alan Garner Midland Metro 07 Billy Wright* Network West Midlands 08 Joseph Chamberlain Midland Metro 09 Jeff Astle Network West Midlands 10 John Stanley Webb Midland Metro 11 Theresa Stewart Midland Metro 12 Midland Metro 13 Anthony Nolan Midland Metro 14 James Eames Midland Metro 15 Agenoria Midland Metro 16 Gerwyn John Midland Metro —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.131.1.241 (talk) 20:15, 29 March 2008 (UTC)Reply

Accidents and Incidents edit

A minor incident occurred soon after the service began: a car ignored the traffic lights and drove staight in front of a moving tram, which then pushed it into a metal structure in the middle of the Wolverhampton ring road. The Express & Star newspaper published it as headline news with the title 'Number 1' which left many readers confused at the time, but this title makes more sense now that other incidents have occurred since.

On 19 December 2006, a tram travelling towards Birmingham collided with another that had stopped due to a technical fault near Soho Benson Road tram stop.[7] Around 40 passengers were on board when the incident happened. 16 passengers were taken to hospital while other passengers suffered from bruises.[8] A Rail Accident Investigation Branch investigation concluded that the following tram was unable to stop in time to prevent the accident because "driver did not modify their driving technique when dazzled by the low lying winter sun" and "was too late in applying the tram’s hazard brake". They cited as contributory factors reduced vision caused by the sun, a problem with the sunblind fitted to the tram, and the lack of a requirement that trams causing an obstruction display hazard warning lights.[9]

In June 2007, vandalism caused damage to overhead power lines and brought the system to a halt.[10].

The Information On The Metro edit

The Midland Metro is a light-rail or tram system in the West Midlands of England. It runs between the cities of Birmingham and Wolverhampton via West Bromwich and Wednesbury.

The system is owned and promoted by the public transport body Centro, but is operated by a private consortium Travel Midland Metro.

Midland Metro carries about five million passengers annually that is my mum and dad.[1] —Preceding unsigned comment added by 213.122.21.24 (talk) 18:30, 30 March 2008 (UTC)Reply

Ticketing edit

Season Tickets Season tickets are available for rail only, bus only, Metro only or for joint rail, bus and Metro or bus and Metro travel, and to save you money the local rail system is divided into 5 pricing zones. Buying your Season Ticket At Rail Stations All network, train and bus season tickets are available from staffed rail stations within the Centro supported area (see network map) and we welcome payment by cheque (with guarantee card), Visa, Mastercard, Switch, American Express and Diners Club (cash and cheques only accepted at New Street Travel Information Centre).


Online You can buy network and train tickets of four weeks duration and over online. Just click below to avoid the booking office queues.

On Bus One Day network cards and Daytripper tickets can now be purchased on most bus operators' services, as well as local rail stations, the Local Travel Information Centre at New Street Station and Travel West Midlands Travelcard & Information Centres.You can also buy the Daily Diamond Return and Diamond Weekly Ticket on-bus.


At Travel West Midlands Travelcard & Information Centres All Travel West Midlands Travelcards plus bus and network season tickets are available from Travel West Midlands outlets who will be happy to advise you on the best method of payment.


At Appointed Agents There are over 200 appointed High Street agents that sell Travel West Midlands Travelcards plus 1 and 4 week bus and most types of Centrocards. TWM Student, and 52 week cards are available only from a restricted list of agents as is the TWM Regional Travelcard with Metro Add-On and Midland Metro Cards.


By Post You can renew your 52 week network card or train card by post from Centro. For full details of how to make buying season tickets even easier call the Sales Office on 0121 214 7878

A range of day tickets is available for bus, rail, bus, rail and Metro and bus and Metro.

TWM Daysaver and Evening Saver tickets are available on the bus as is the NWM Daytripper ticket which allows travel on bus, rail and Metro. A day ticket is available for Metro only and the Dayranger ticket allows travel on the wider West Midlands network.You can also but the Daily Diamond Return from the driver on any Diamond bus service.

Day tickets are available for both peak and off-peak travel. Just click the button below to find the ticket that suits you. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 213.122.21.24 (talk) 18:35, 30 March 2008 (UTC)Reply

Wolverhampton St Georges,The Royal and Priestfield edit

Wolverhampton St Georges is the first stop before the royal The Royal is the second stop before priestfield Priestfield is the last stop of wolverhampton and then you straight into bilston —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.131.14.181 (talk) 11:51, 6 April 2008 (UTC)Reply

The Creasant, Bilston Central, Loxdale and Bradley Lane edit

the Creasant is the stop after Priestfield and is before bilston central Bilston Central is the stop before loxdale Loxdale is the stop before bradley lane Bradley Lane is the stop before wednesbury parkway is in wednesbury —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.131.14.181 (talk) 11:57, 6 April 2008 (UTC)Reply

wednesbury parkway and Wednesbury Great Western Street edit

Wednesbury Parkway is the stop before Wednesbury Great Western Street Wednesbury Great Western Street is the stop before Black Lake —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.131.64.150 (talk) 11:00, 9 April 2008 (UTC)Reply

Black Lake, Dudley Street Guns Village, Dartmouth Street, Lodge Road West Bromwich Town Hall, West Bromwich Central, Trinity Way, Kenrick Park and the Hawthorns edit

Black Lake is the stop before Dudley Street Guns Village Dudley Street Guns Village is the stop before Dartmouth Street Dartmouth Street is the stop before Lodge Road West Bromwich Town Hall Lodge Road West Bromwich Town Hall is the stop before West Bromwich Central West Bromwich Central is the stop before Trinity Way Trinity Way is the stop before Kenrick Park Kenrick Park is the stop before the Hawthorns the Hawthorns is the stop before Handsworth Booth Street —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.131.64.150 (talk) 11:09, 9 April 2008 (UTC)Reply

Handswoth Booth Street Winson Green Outer Circle Soho Benson Road Jellerwy Quater St. Pauls Birmingham Snow Hill edit

Winson Green Outer Circle Soho Benson Road Jellerwy Quater St. Pauls Birmingham Snow Hill

Handswoth Booth Street is the stop before Winson Green Outer Circle Winson Green Outer Circle is the stop before Soho Benson Road Soho Benson Road is the stop before Jellerwy Quater Jellerwy Quater is the stop before St. Pauls St. Pauls is the stop before Birmingham Snow Hill

freguancy edit

Frequent:- services operate daily between 06:30 and 23:30 with an eight minute service between 07:00 and 19:00 Monday to Saturday and a 15minute service at other times.

Environmentally friendly edit

Environmentally friendly:- power is supplied by overhead electrical wires which supply a 750volt direct current to the tram. This means that trams emit no fumes at the point of delivery thereby improving the air quality along the route in our towns and cities.

Space saving edit

Space saving: - each tram carries 158 people with 56 seats taking up far less space than private cars require for this number of people —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.131.64.150 (talk) 11:21, 9 April 2008 (UTC)Reply

Park and Ride Spaces Easy access Safe and Secure Integrated Services Ticketing Metro Facts edit

Easy access: - Level boarding and spaces for two wheelchairs in each tram ensure full access for people with mobility difficulties as well as those with pushchairs, buggies and luggage.

Safe and Secure:- Designed with safety and security in mind all stops are well lit and have closed circuit television (CCTV)and direct links via a help point intercom with the control room. CCTV is also being installed on board the tram and a help point on board connects you to the driver but in the first instance you can ask the conductor for help.

Integrated Services:- Metro is integrated with the bus and rail network. Bus stops are located where possible adjacent to the entrances of the Metro and you can have cross platform interchange with the rail network at the Hawthorns, Jewellery Quarter and Snow Hill stops. Park and Ride facilities are available at four Metro stops – Priestfield, Wednesbury Parkway, Black Lake and the Hawthorns – and cycle storage is available at all stops except Snow Hill and Wolverhampton St George’s.

Ticketing:- Its so easy to use Metro you just get on board and pay your fare to the conductor. A range of tickets is available including singles, returns, off peak tickets and travel cards. The nnetwork pass, nbus and centro concession pass are also valid for use.

Metro Facts Length of Route 20.4 km Number of Stops 23 Length of Vehicle 24 metres Width of vehicles 2.65 metres Height (inc. pantograph) 3.67 metres Maximum speed 35 km/h Acceleration 0-50kph 10 seconds Braking from 50kph 24 metres Minimum turning circle 25 metres Capacity 158 (56 seated) Example Journey Times Wolverhampton to Birmingham 35 minutes Wolverhampton to Bilston 8 minutes Wednesbury to West Bromwich 9 minutes Bilston to The Hawthorns 19 minutes West Bromwich to Birmingham 14 minutes Park and Ride Spaces Priestfield 130 spaces Wednesbury Parkway 142 spaces Black Lake 86 spaces The Hawthorns 193 spaces

Tram-Train edit

Could theis help with the wolverhampton - walsall. {Ucebaggie (talk) 17:16, 21 September 2008 (UTC)}Reply