Tram travel takes off in the city of Edinburgh

Edinburgh is now the proud owner of a new fleet of trams, which are expected to bring real economic benefits to the city. The trams will link up with further transport hubs along the route connecting passengers with road, rail, bus and air links.

Edinburgh Trams run from the airport to York Place with stops at train stations, Murrayfield Stadium and the West End

The 14km tram route from the Airport to the City Centre connects many of the city’s main residential and commercial centres with Scotland’s national transport network. Edinburgh Gateway station will link passengers from the Fife line and North East Scotland to the airport within five minutes. The station is scheduled to open to passengers in December 2016. This project is being delivered by Network Rail as part of the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP).

All aboard! It’s the St Andrew Square stop (for Waverley train station)

Tram route

There are 15 tram stops, in order from west to east: Edinburgh International Airport, Ingliston Park & Ride, Gogarburn, Gyle Centre, Edinburgh Park Central, Edinburgh Park Station, Bankhead, Saughton, Balgreen, Murrayfield Stadium, Haymarket, West End-Princes Street, Princes Street, St Andrew Square, York Place. They run every 8-10 minutes Monday to Saturday between 05:29 (York Place) and 23:08 (York Place). Sunday service will be every 12-15 minutes between 05:29 (York Place) and 22:58 (York Place).

Tram capacity

Tram vehicles accommodate 250 passengers, 78 seated, 170 standing and 2 dedicated wheelchair spaces. There is ample space for luggage. As the tram vehicles are level with the tramstop, the access to the tram is far easier for wheelchair users than it is on a bus. The design of the system was developed in consultation with accessibility groups. An area on the trams has been provided for those with visual and mobility disabilities, their friends and any assistance dogs.

Tram tickets

Tickets are integrated with Lothian Buses ticketing and are available from ticket vending machines at all tram stops. They cost £1.50 for a single in the city zone, £5 for a single for the airport zone and £3.50 for an adult day ticket in the city zone. Full details on ticket fares, and further information on children’s fares (which are different from above) are available here: edinburghtrams.com/tickets/cash-fares

FAQs

• There are 27 trams

• There are 14 Kilometres (8.5miles) of twin lane tram track from York Place to the airport.

• Trams have a top speed of 70kph (43.5mph)

• The length of a tram is 43m

• The overhead line powered by 750V DC and there are 6 sub stations

For more information on the city’s transport network visit transportforedinburgh.com