Midland Metro becomes West Midlands Metro, trams turn blue

[CharlieSpotted]

Apologies if there's alread a thread for this, I did look, but was unable to find one.

So, Midland Metro has become West Midlands Metro, the reins having been handed over from National Express to Midland Metro Ltd. (part of the West Midlands Combined Alliance blah blah blah...)

It seems the trams are to get a new look:

My eyes! The googles do nothing!

I hope it looks better in person than in this terrible render.

All change! West Midlands Metro showcase new-look trams

Trams will be sporting a new look after the service was brought under new management.

The striking blue trams will be seen pulling into Black Country stations having undergone a re-brand.

The service will now be known as West Midlands Metro and will be run by Midland Metro Ltd, part of the region's combined authority.

White and pink carriages have become a familiar sight over the years for commuters but trams have been refreshed to mark the new era.

The change comes after 18 years of the service being run by National Express. Passengers are being promised lower fares and new ticket packages now it is under the control of the combined authority.

Midland Metro Ltd (MML) is a new operating company that has been set up to run the tram service and will be wholly owned by the WMCA.

Awarding the new operating contract to MML is intended to allow Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the WMCA, to plough future profits back into the network.

It comes as major work is being carried out to extend the line into Wolverhampton city centre. Another £200 million extension will see the metro head into Dudley for the first time, via Tipton and Merry Hill.

The new seven-mile line from Wednesbury will run along part of the former South Staffordshire railway from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill town centre with 17 stops, including at the DY5 Enterprise Zone at the Waterfront, Merry Hill Shopping Centre, Dudley Bus Station, and at Castle Hill for the Black Country Living Museum and Dudley Castle.

Express and Star

 

[JordyWM]

I prefer the NWM livery, but this one is nice.

I think it would have been better if it was blue and grey instead of all blue.

 

[Clip]

That looks nice that.

Not sure the villa half of town will be too happy though

 

[DavidGrain]

I travelled on the trams today. The conductor on the tram into Birmingham was wearing his new shirt with the WM logo with the blue centre diamond and WEST MIDLANDS METRO on his left sleeve. On the tram out of Birmingham the conductor was wearing a dark blue jacket with WEST MIDLANDS METRO on the left breast and a large logo on the back over his right shoulder blade.

 

[thenorthern]

Why is it that the logo looks like the West Midlands Railway logo?

 

[Bungle965]

Why is it that the logo looks like the West Midlands Railway logo?

I believe that is intentional, there will be when it is all completed West Midlands Railway/Metro/Buses.
Sam

 

[edwin_m]

It's the same idea as TfL - same basic logo but in different colours for different modes.

 

[TC60054]

31 is now running around in it's new blue look, with other members of the fleet having gained new logos.

 

[Bungle965]

(Not my photo)
Sam

 

[gazthomas]

Better than pink!

 

[Peter Mugridge]

The Blue Bullet...

 

[JordyWM]

(Not my photo)
Sam

Not as nice as the Network WM livery if I'm honest but looks half decent. The application of the logo looks like an afterthought, though.