Tram Travel

Why have services been suspended?

Earlier this year a repair programme was implemented to address cracks identified on several of our trams. As part of this work it has become necessary for additional repairs to be carried out.

To ensure that we can continue to run a safe and reliable service, a decision has been made to remove all 21 trams from service until further notice.

This decision has not been taken lightly and we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience that may be caused.

Please be assured that every option has been fully considered to avoid suspending the service. As always, the safety of our customers and colleagues is our priority and this will never be compromised.

Your patience and understanding is very much appreciated while we work hard to resume services.

When will normal service resume?

It is not possible to provide a date for services to resume. Customers will be kept up to date on social media and our website.

Will I receive a refund for my ticket/pass?

Refund requests will be considered on a case by case basis. The following considerations will apply:

• DD customer payments will not be processed for the next 2 months, passes will continue to work (TfWM CS team)
• My Metro app – refunds will be issued on a pro-rata basis (WMM CSOs)
• Swift – refunds will be issued on a pro-rata basis (TfWM CS team)
• Paper tickets – refunds will be issued on a pro-rata basis (WMM CSOs)
• Multi-modal tickets – We will review case by case, and customers can request a downgrade to bus only.

Please refer all enquiries to the relevant team and include as much information as possible, including customer number (swift), photograph of ticket (where applicable), email address and contact number.

A communication plan has been prepared and includes:

• Press statement
• Website article and banner on homepage (West Midlands Metro and TfWM)
• Posters dispalyed on platform shelters and on display boards at all stops
• Scrolling messages on electronic displays
• Alert card on the My Metro app
• Regular announcemnets on all platforms
• Social media (West Midlands Metro and TfWM)

What are the alternative travel arrangements?

Metro tickets and passes will be valid on:
              - National Express bus service 74 between Birmingham and West Bromwich
              - National Express bus service 79 between West Bromwich and Wolverhampton
              - National Express bus services 16 and 101 between Birmingham and Handsworth
              - National Express bus services 9, 12/12A, 13/13A, 23, 24, 82, 87, 126, X8 and X10 in Bimringham city   centre
              - ALL train services between Wolverhampton and Birmingham

NXWM 74 runs between Birmingham and Dudley via Handsworth and West Bromwich.

NXWM 79 runs between West Bromwich Bus station and Wolverhampton Bus station, and calls at Wednesbury bus station, Darlaston Interchange, Bilston Oxford Street, and Wolverhampton Bus station.

NXWM 16 runs between Birmingham city centre and Handsworth Wood

NXWM 101 runs between Birmingham city centre and Winson Green / Jewellery Quarter / Handsworth

West Midlands Railway, Avanti, Transport for Wales services run directly between New Street and Wolverhampton, and also from Snow Hill onwards to Kidderminster, calling at Jewellery Quarter and Hawthorns.

We have tried to ensure that the current short notice arrangements allow most customers to complete their usual journeys, however we are working hard to give more options to keep everyone moving. We will share any changes on our social media.

Why are there trams still out on the network?

The trams that you have seen out on the network are third generation trams which are undergoing testing and commissioning. Once testing and commissioning of the new trams is complete, they will be ready to enter passenger service. There will also be some of the existing fleet on the network, undergoing testing or being used for driver training while we are unable to operate.

Why can’t the new trams be used to provide a service?

Trams 38 to 43 are currently in the testing and commissioning phase. Once they have been accepted to the fleet, driver training will need to be carried out to familiarise our crew with the changes to the systems in the new trams.

Here are the recommended alternative arrangements available from each tram stop:

Birmingham City Centre: Customers travelling to Wolverhampton St Georges can use West Midlands Railway services from New Street. Customers can also use West Midlands Railways services to Jewellery Quarter and Hawthorns from Snow Hill station. The NXWM 74 bus service operates from Snow Hill Queensway to Dudley via Soho, Handsworth and West Bromwich.

St Chads: Customers can connect with NXWM 74 bus which is a 2-minute walk from the metro station on Old Snow Hill. Alternatively, customers can use Snow Hill station for West Midlands Railway services to Jewellery Quarter and Hawthorns.

St Pauls: Customers can connect with the NXWM 74 bus to West Bromwich via Handsworth or Birmingham City centre with stops right outside the metro station.

Jewellery Quarter: Customers can connect with West Midlands Railway services into Birmingham Centre, or up to Hawthorns directly from adjacent platforms to the metro line. NXWM 74 bus stops on Great Hampton Street are a 4-minute walk from the Jewellery Quarter metro station with regular services to West Bromwich via Handsworth.

Soho Benson Road: Customers can connect with the NXWM 74 bus service to West Bromwich and Birmingham City centre. Stops are on Soho Road, which is an 11-minute walk from the metro station.

Winson Green: Customers can connect with the NXWM 74 bus service to West Bromwich and Birmingham City centre. Stops are on Soho Road, which is an 11-minute walk from the metro station.

Handsworth Booth Street: Customers can connect with the NXWM 74 bus service to West Bromwich and Birmingham City centre. Stops are on Holyhead Road, which is a 10-minute walk from the metro station.

Hawthorns: Customers can use West Midland Railway services into Birmingham City centre, calling at Jewellery Quarter and Snow Hill. Or for connecting bus routes, NXWM 74 bus to West Bromwich and Birmingham via Holyhead Road and Soho Road, stops are on Birmingham Road which is an 8-minute walk from the metro station.

Kenrick Park / Trinity Way: Customers can connect with the NXWM 74 bus service to West Bromwich and Birmingham City centre via Handsworth. Stops are on High Street, which is a 5-minute walk from the metro station.

West Bromwich Central: Customers can connect with the NXWM 74 bus service to Dudley and Birmingham City centre via Handsworth; and NXWM 79 to Wolverhampton via Wednesbury, Darlaston and Bilston. The bus station is across the road from the metro stop.

Lodge Road / Dartmouth Street: Customers can connect with the NXWM 74 bus service to Dudley and Birmingham City centre via Handsworth; and NXWM 79 to Wolverhampton via Wednesbury, Darlaston and Bilston. Stops are on High Street which is a 5-minute walk from the metro stop.

Dudley Street Guns Village: Customers can connect with the NXWM 74 bus service to Dudley and Birmingham City centre via Handsworth; and NXWM 79 to Wolverhampton via Wednesbury, Darlaston and Bilston. Stops are on Carters Green which is a 5-minute walk from the metro stop.

Black Lake: Customers can connect with the NXWM 79 bus service to West Bromwich bus station and Wolverhampton via Wednesbury, Darlaston and Bilston. Stops are on Black Lake which is a 2-minute walk from the metro stop.

Wednesbury Great Western Street: Customers can connect with the NXWM 79 bus service to West Bromwich bus station and Wolverhampton via Darlaston and Bilston. The bus station at Wednesbury is a 4-minute walk from the metro stop.

Wednesbury Parkway: Customers can connect with the NXWM 79 bus service to West Bromwich bus station and Wolverhampton via Darlaston and Bilston. The bus station at Wednesbury is a 12-minute walk from the metro stop.

Bradley Lane: Customers can connect with the NXWM 79 bus service to West Bromwich bus station and Wolverhampton Bus station via Bilston. Stops are on Oxford Street which is a 12-minute walk from the metro stop.

Loxdale: Customers can connect with the NXWM 79 bus service to West Bromwich bus station and Wolverhampton Bus station via Bilston. Stops are on Oxford Street which is a 5-minute walk from the metro stop.

Bilston Central: Customers can connect with the NXWM 79 bus service to West Bromwich bus station and Wolverhampton Bus station. Stops are on Lichfield Street which is a 5-minute walk from the metro stop.

The Crescent: Customers can connect with the NXWM 79 bus service to West Bromwich bus station and Wolverhampton Bus station. Stops are on Wellington Road directly opposite the metro stop.

Priestfield: Customers can connect with the NXWM 79 bus service to West Bromwich bus station and Wolverhampton Bus station. Stops are on Bilston Road a 3-minute walk from the metro stop along the path.

The Royal: Customers can connect with the NXWM 79 bus service to West Bromwich bus station and Wolverhampton Bus station. Stops are on Bilston Road a 2-minute walk from the metro stop.

Wolverhampton St Georges: Customers can connect with the NXWM 79 bus service to West Bromwich bus station. Services operate from Wolverhampton Bus station which is a 4-minute walk from the metro stop. For train connections into Birmingham City Centre, services run from Wolverhampton into New Street. The station is a 9-minute walk from the metro stop.