Nottingham’s new Citadis trams have transported passengers around the city for the first time in preparation of a major timetable change later in the summer.
Some of the new 22-strong fleet have been carrying out trial services on Lines 2 and 3 ahead of the start of a “full enhanced” service timetable in late August/early September.
The trials, which have been conducted over the last two weekends, also serve the testing and commissioning of some of the new systems being installed across the network.
Throughout the trials, trams have been running every three to four minutes from Hucknall and Phoenix Park to the city centre, as opposed to every six minutes.
In a statement, NET marketing manager, Jamie Swift said: “The trials are part of our plans to significantly boost tram frequencies later this summer, answering calls from our customers for more regular services.
“Tram staff received many compliments about the new trams which have really caught the imagination of our customers. They are superb vehicles and attracted a lot of attention.”
He added: “The tests will continue on further days over the coming weeks to ensure everything is working properly and then we’ll get the new timetable into full swing.”
Nottingham’s new trams will become the first Citadis model vehicles in the UK and will more than double the current fleet of 15 trams, which are currently undergoing a major overhaul.
Many of the systems within the new Alstom trams have been designed to resemble those in the existing Adtranz vehicles, with particular attention paid to retaining conformity with the original safety systems and driver controls.
