Centenary Square tram stop
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| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Transport for West Midlands |
| Area served | Birmingham, Wolverhampton |
| Locale | West Midlands county |
| Transit type | Tram/Light rail |
| Number of lines | 1 |
| Number of stations | 26 (9 more awaiting construction) |
| Annual ridership | 6.2 million (2016/17) 29.0% |
| Headquarters | 51 Bordesley Green Birmingham B9 4BZ |
| Website | nxbus |
| Operation | |
| Began operation | 30 May 1999 |
| Operator(s) | National Express Midland Metro |
| Number of vehicles | 21 |
| Technical | |
| System length | 13 miles (21 km) |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
| Electrification | Overhead line (750 V DC) |
| Top speed | 43.5 miles per hour (70.0 km/h) |
The Midland Metro is a light-rail/tram line in the county of West Midlands, England, operating between the cities of Birmingham and Wolverhampton via the towns of West Bromwich and Wednesbury. The line operates on streets in urban areas, and reopened conventional rail tracks that link the towns and cities. The owners are Transport for West Midlands with operation by National Express Midland Metro, a subsidiary of National Express. TfWM itself will operate the service from October 2018. The Midland Metro Alliance brings together West Midlands Combined Authority as well as various engineering and consultancy firms in a long term framework agreement to design and construct future expansions.
The line opened on 30 May 1999, mostly using the former disused Birmingham Snow Hill to Wolverhampton Low Level Line. The line originally terminated at Birmingham Snow Hill station at the edge of Birmingham City Centre. An extension into the streets of the city-centre as far as Birmingham New Street station was approved in 2012, and became operational in 2016, with a further extension planned. Various other extensions, including entirely new lines, are currently under construction.
Birmingham once had an extensive tram network run by Birmingham Corporation Tramways. However, as in most British cities, the network was abandoned, with the last tram running in 1953.
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