Business Travel Tram numbers on the up
The number of people using the Midland Metro soared to record levels last year after the tram system was extended onto the streets of Birmingham city centre. Passenger figures jumped from five million in 2015
to 6.6 million in 2016 after trams returned to the city centre for the first time in more than 50 years, initially going to Bull Street and then to the redeveloped New Street station. New figures show that taking the trams through
the heart of the city’s shopping district to the station and its Grand Central retail complex has had a dramatic effect on the number of people riding the Metro, helping to generate a 32 per cent increase on the network which is owned by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and managed by its transport arm - Transport for West Midlands (TfWM). And the latest forecast for the 12 months between
the start of June last year, when the extension to New Street opened, and the end of May this year, shows the number of passengers is set to top seven million – up by more than two million on 2015. Colin Saward, managing director of National
Express Midland Metro which operates the system on behalf of TfWM, said: "We are delighted to welcome these millions of extra customers on board. “We brought in contactless payment when the Birmingham city centre extension opened - we thought it would make travelling by tram more attractive. We were proved right - now 20 per cent of tickets sold on the tram are bought using contactless.”
The tram network is expected to triple in size over
the next decade as part of the WMCA’s long term transport strategy with passenger numbers forecast to grow to more than 30 million. The expansion includes an extension of the route
from New Street Station to Centenary Square, with services expected to start running in 2019. Funding has also been earmarked for the line to
go further along Broad Street, past Five Ways and on to Edgbaston by 2021. A Transport and Works Act Order has also been
submitted for an extension through Digbeth in Birmingham, running from Bull Street via Albert Street and on to the forthcoming HS2 high speed rail station at Curzon Street.
Sector Focus
Emirates flies away with award
Emirates – which operates regular flights from Birmingham to Dubai – has claimed the title of Best Airline in the World. It is one of five awards the airline
picked up at the inaugural TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards for Airlines. In addition to the grand prize,
Emirates also scooped prizes for Best Major Airline - Middle East & Africa, Best Economy Class, Best First Class and World’s Best Airlines - Top 10. This is the first year TripAdvisor
has introduced a category for airlines in its signature Travellers’ Choice Awards. Sir Tim Clark, president of
Emirates Airline, said: “The fact that the awards are a result of unbiased reviews and feedback speaks to our commitment to deliver a superior travel experience for our customers. “We want travellers to continue
making Emirates their first choice whenever they think to travel. “That is why we continue to
Midland Metro: passenger figures are soaring
invest in services across all classes, and why our service teams work hard and put their hearts into providing the very best experience for our customers both on board and on the ground every day.”
May 2017 CHAMBERLINK 55
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