Edinburgh Tram developments

[NotATrainspott]

The ironic part is this is right next to Edinburgh Council’s Car Pound, where all towed/lifted vehicles end up.

Not any more - the old car pound is now being developed into flats. The new car pound is down in Inch Park, near Cameron Toll.

 

[eoff]

So are the trams going to Newhaven? The tram I boarded at the airport yesterday said so but the app didn't and in fact the app had the wrong departure time. I left the tram too early to find out.

 

[duncanp]

So are the trams going to Newhaven? The tram I boarded at the airport yesterday said so but the app didn't and in fact the app had the wrong departure time. I left the tram too early to find out.

The service to Newhaven doesn't start until 12 noon on June 7th.

 

[InOban]

The trams are going to Newhaven, but aren't carrying passengers after St
Andrew's Square.

 

[eoff]

Ah I see, so the only form of transport I have ever used where the destination displayed on the vehicle is not one you can travel to if you board it.

 

[Mal]

So are the trams going to Newhaven? The tram I boarded at the airport yesterday said so but the app didn't and in fact the app had the wrong departure time. I left the tram too early to find out.

The trams are screened Newhaven and do run through to there, but passengers are not carried past St Andrew Sq. Public, revenue service to Newhaven starts on 7. June at 1200hrs, so expect some full trams for the first few hours as folk try them for the novelty.

 

[Siemens Trains]

Ah I see, so the only form of transport I have ever used where the destination displayed on the vehicle is not one you can travel to if you board it.

If using buses in the past perhaps you've been fortunate never to query a potentially inaccurate destination blind and be met with the old favourite response of "It says India on the tyres but I don't go there either!"

 

[Mal]

If using buses in the past perhaps you've been fortunate never to query a potentially inaccurate destination blind and be met with the old favourite response of "It says India on the tyres but I don't go there either!"

Like buses that used to go to a very obscure place called 'Service' or the old Edinburgh favourite 'Circle'!

 

[InOban]

It's been been causing confusion down near the cruise terminal with visitors expecting to board the trams since both the stops and the trams are displaying the service. Central control by computers, isn't it wonderful!

 

[Struner]

Indeed, bogusware.

 

[och aye]

Video from Picardy Place to Newhaven

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8lgwdg

 

[duncanp]

Video from Picardy Place to Newhaven

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8lgwdg

The section along Constitution Street between the Foot of Leith Walk and Bernard Street looks to be quite narrow, with not much room (as far as I can see) for parking and deliveries.

I hope local residents and businesses will be able to adapt, and that there won't be too much obstruction of the tramway by vehicles.

In Nottingham, the tramway between The Forest and Wilkinson Street is one way along parallel streets because there simply wouldn't be enough room for a double track tramway along the same street.

 

[jkkne]

Great to see this finally opening.

On a less positive note.
I was up in the City last week for the Springsteen gig and have to say the management of tram loading in the City Centre was utterly woeful, bordering on incompetent.
Trams were full out of St Andrews but as there was no effort from the staff at Princes St, West End or Haymarket to control loadings - crowds surged on and it was quite alarmingly uncomfortable on board.

The return was much better with actual management, but Murrayfield being an old dive of a stadium isn't the best to get out of, I ended up walking to Balgreen - much easier to get out and avoided the hour long tram queues.

 

[InOban]

The section along Constitution Street between the Foot of Leith Walk and Bernard Street looks to be quite narrow, with not much room (as far as I can see) for parking and deliveries.

I hope local residents and businesses will be able to adapt, and that there won't be too much obstruction of the tramway by vehicles.

In Nottingham, the tramway between The Forest and Wilkinson Street is one way along parallel streets because there simply wouldn't be enough room for a double track tramway along the same street.

Vehicles aren't permitted along the first part of Constitution Street

 

[VioletEclipse]

I'm wondering if anyone knows if the first tram to run the St Andrew Square to Newhaven section on Wednesday will start at the airport, city centre or Newhaven?

 

[InOban]

I've heard nothing about the opening arrangements or who's doing the honours. For all I know they could hold the opening ceremony at Newhaven.

 

[nicholaswood]

I'm wondering if anyone knows if the first tram to run the St Andrew Square to Newhaven section on Wednesday will start at the airport, city centre or Newhaven?

According to this tweet by Edinburgh Trams' twitter account, the first passenger service towards newhaven will leave Picardy Place at 12:00.

 

[VioletEclipse]

According to this tweet by Edinburgh Trams' twitter account, the first passenger service towards newhaven will leave Picardy Place at 12:00.

thank you!

 

[InOban]

But a tram could leave simultaneously from newhaven. And indeed since they've been running a full timetable there could be several other trams at various locations...

 

[computerSaysNo]

I don't reckon that there is going to be a "hard opening" as speculated here. I think, come midday, they will just cease forcibly kicking people off at St Andrew Square, and start opening the doors at the other stops. The trams already display "Newhaven" on the destination screens (when they are working), I'm not sure whether the onboard announcements are already announcing "Tram for Newhaven" even when they've been terminating at St Andrew Square?

 

[Mal]

I don't reckon that there is going to be a "hard opening" as speculated here. I think, come midday, they will just cease forcibly kicking people off at St Andrew Square, and start opening the doors at the other stops. The trams already display "Newhaven" on the destination screens (when they are working), I'm not sure whether the onboard announcements are already announcing "Tram for Newhaven" even when they've been terminating at St Andrew Square?

I didn't realise that any of the trams had faulty destination screens. Would that be the reason that they have tram-slipboards at each end?

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Would that be the reason that they have tram-slipboards at each end?

I’m sure the reason they’re there is as a fail safe, yes.

 

[Mal]

I’m sure the reason they’re there is as a fail safe, yes.

With buses now showing only destination and route number, I thought tramboards had been consigned to history. It's good to see them back!

 

[Acfb]

I have mixed feelings about the tram extension TBH as I can already just get the 16 bus directly all the way to Leith from Oxgangs anyway. My main gripe about the trams is also the lack of contactless integration with the buses so I am not sure when I will bother to try out the extension. Having said that I think it's fairly good how they have diversified the bus network around Leith particularly the 16 running more directly via The Shore to Commercial Street.

Hopefully the trams will soak up so many people between Leith and Princes Street that the 10, 11 and 16 etc become more reliable.

 

[NotATrainspott]

All the new validators installed on the extension can support contactless payments. I think the plan was to have contactless and tap-tap-cap enabled ahead of or alongside the extension, but it has been delayed. It's still happening. I'd rather they get the extension finished, and have to buy paper tickets for a few weeks, than not being able to go on the tram.

 

[Dr Hoo]

Ah I see, so the only form of transport I have ever used where the destination displayed on the vehicle is not one you can travel to if you board it.

Only just spotted this. You obviously never lived in Birmingham. Trams and buses always used to show the ‘suburban’ destination, e.g. Rednal or Pype Hayes, even on ‘to city’ services. (There were obviously exceptions for short workings and things.) But basically, for the stranger the displays were 50% ‘wrong’!

 

[duncanp]

Only just spotted this. You obviously never lived in Birmingham. Trams and buses always used to show the ‘suburban’ destination, e.g. Rednal or Pype Hayes, even on ‘to city’ services. (There were obviously exceptions for short workings and things.) But basically, for the stranger the displays were 50% ‘wrong’!

...and that tradition continues today.

It is quite common to see trams going towards Edgbaston displaying "Wolverhampton St Georges" and vice versa.

I hope the opening of the extension in Edinburgh tomorrow goes well, and that there are further extensions to the Edinburgh tramway in the future.

If I was to get my crayons out, I would like to see a branch off the existing line to serve Sighthill, Hermiston Park & Ride and Heriot-Watt University. I know this is not likely to happen any time soon (if at all) but it is always worth considering what extensions to a tramway might be feasible when economic and political considerations allow.

 

[eoff]

So where are we now compared to the original plan that was funded?
I know one line did not get funding.

 

[Scotrail314209]

I’m currently on Tram 275. Is it just me or have some or the announcements been turned up, they are now rather loud compared to before.

Feels good finally being able to traverse the extension though.

 

[duncanp]

There are a number of videos appearing on You Tube now as well.

I am sure that there will be other extensions in the future, especially if this new extension proves to be a success.