Edinburgh Trams

Edinburgh's trams were due to be running by 2011, some 65 years after the last tram trundled through the capital's streets. However, the trams project has been beset by delays, budget issues, and a contractual dispute, which has pushed back the expected opening date as Summer 2014. For more detailed, current information read our Edinburgh transport blog and vote in our poll on the trams completion.

Following years of disruptive work installing tram tracks and utilities along busy roads, a fleet of 27 trams will ferry up to 20,000 passengers per hour through the city.

The trams will be integrated with bus timetables and tram tickets should cost the same as bus tickets.

Edinburgh Tram Routes

The first phase of the new Edinburgh tram system was due to follow a route from Ocean Terminal at Leith Docks in the North of the City, pass along Leith Walk to Princes Street via St. Andrew Square, continue West to Haymarket, past Murrayfield, out to the busy Edinburgh Park interchange, continuing past the Gyle near the city outskirts, and on to Edinburgh Airport.

The trams

Edinburgh’s trams are likely to be the biggest in the UK at 42.8m long and 2.65m wide with 7 articulated sections. There is a capacity for approximately 250 passengers on each, which is the equivalent to 2.5 double deck buses.

The trams are 100% low floor with level boarding, large door vestibule areas and wide aisles making the tram ideal for buggies and prams

On-street the trams can travel up to 50kph (30mph) and off-street the trams can reach a maximum of 70kph (about 45mph).

The trams will be able to negotiate tight curves and steepish gradients such as the gradual climb on Leith Walk (there is no plan to put a tram up the Mound).

The City of Edinburgh tram company Transport Initiatives Edinburgh (tie) says that the trams will have low noise, smooth acceleration and braking, and state of the art security features and information systems.