Croydon tram commuters are benefiting from a new direct service between Therapia Lane and Elmers End.
As a result of this additional tram route, there are now 12 trams an hour passing through Croydon’s town centre – a rise of 50 per cent.
Operation of the new route has been made possible by the introduction of six new Stadler trams, representing an investment of £16.3 million, with Croydon Council making a contribution of £3 million.
Since opening in 2000, the number of passengers using the network has risen by 45 per cent and now carries 29 million passengers a year.
Capacity in the Mitcham area will be increased by the end of the year with the doubling of the line between Mitcham and Mitcham Junction, a notorious bottleneck.
London Mayor Boris Johnson said: “Good transport connections are vital for a place like Croydon. It is the key to unlocking the success of the borough.
“There has been a lot of interest from international investors, big supermarket chains and international retailers, who I don’t think I need to name, and the one thing they are most interested in is good transport links.”
Mr Johnson has also pledged his support to extending the network to Crystal Palace.
