Birmingham’s new Urbos trams will begin to enter service from September 5, Centro has announced.
The first four of 20 new low-floor light rail vehicles (LRV) that have been built by Spanish manufacturer CAF will begin full passenger operation next month, with the remaining units expected to be rolled out over the next few months.
The new trams will provide much-needed additional capacity on Birmingham’s expanding light rail network.
Work is well underway on an extension between Snow Hill and New Street stations in Birmingham city centre and there are further plans to go on to Centenary Square, Edgbaston and the Eastside district – the site of the proposed HS2 interchange.
Centro has also recently submitted a Transport and Works Act Order Application to deliver an £18 million extension to Wolverhampton railway station.
Announcing the September launch date, Centro said that as the new extensions are commissioned it will need to grow its fleet further, which would likely involve exercising an option with CAF for five more new trams.
