Metro Tram Extension Opens – Take a Ride by Video

The first part of the Westside Metro extension, Grand Central to Centenary Square, opened for public use today, Wednesday 11 December.

This new extension is an important link for Black Country folk and for pleasure and business visitors arriving at New Street station.

Some History

The last extension – from Bull Street to Grand Central – opened on 30 May 2016.

In February 2017 plans were published which indicated that this latest extension would open in late 2019.

Achieving this is a great success for the Midland Metro Alliance and Transport for West Midlands, especially due to the complexity of the work and the historical unknowns lying beneath the streets of central Birmigham.

The Benefits

An easy travel link has now been created from the main rail station and city shopping areas to Centenary Square with its Library of Birmingham, Symphony Hall, International Convention Centre and the family attractions staged in the square itself.
Important business offices there and in Brindleyplace also benefit from the link.
The enjoyments of Broad Street are also well served.

Impressively, there is a tram every 6 to 8 minutes between 7am and 7pm which lifts the usability and appeal of this important service. Outside these times a 15 minute service is provided, thus giving a very acceptable average wait of 7.1/2 minutes.