Edinburgh tram opens to public

EDINBURGH residents got a taste of the controversial new tram scheme today, as a mocked-up carriage opened its doors to the public.

Alistair Richards, project manager, said that feedback on the tram's design had been largely positive, and called for patience during the planned disruptions.

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Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Deadline
• News
• Edinburgh
• Trams
• Disruption
• Traffic
• Roadworks
• Controversy
• Edinburgh Council
• Scheme
• Public Transport

[fluffnikthegreat]

Edinburgh has an excellent bus service with Bus Lanes to prevent delay.

The proposed tram line effectively replaces ONE bus route and will reduce the amount of road available to Bus Lanes as well as other traffic.

[fluffnikthegreat]

That might work with a well planned tram system.

However what Edinburgh is getting is a single line from Leith Docks, where the only Park and Ride potential is for ships, to the Airport which does have Park and Ride potential.

[danieldbaigrie]

I do pay taxes, I just live in a different council area

[danieldbaigrie]

Nearly three years on and we still don't have it. Glad I don't pay my taxes to the City Council, what a waste.

[freqeist]

its a mistake.

[Streetcar1743]

When you mix both tram and bus service, more people will ride. I am all for a greener world. When you get more people riding, that means less road congestion. However, if the operator forgets to close the door on today's trams, the tram won't move. That is one thing you won't find on buses.

[samtron2000]

I don't understand why people are blaming bilfinger Berger!! Their tender was based on the surveys that had been carried out by the council/tie. These surveys were hugely inaccurate meaning the tender made by BB in good faith was far too low with regards to the amount of extra works involved. Tie have created this mess and BB are being made the fall guys. So far, litigation has found in their favour!!

[AntonHu]

Having lived with trams for years in Munich, The Hague and Berlin, I regard this as a crazy scheme. They take up lots of space, hinder the rest of the traffic and the tracks are a nightmare for cyclists and maintenance. Nobody has yet explained to me why modern trolley buses have not been adopted in UK - they work fine in Switzerland - but perhaps that's just too sensible.

[guderiank]

Every city that gets trams moans about the cost and the building but they are a long term policy and residents love them once use to them.

The crazy thing was getting rid of trams last century.

Admittedly Edinburgh had a great bus service on its main arteries but ive sat for ages on a bus from south bridge to Princes street cuss of jams.

When younger you just get off early and walk but not option for older persons.

[flyingvigil]

i spent some times in Edinburgh last month and from what I saw, there´s no way that the tram will be ready in 2011.. (or even 2012). :P

So now im curious as well..

[flyingvigil]

@ravrik

democracy is just for other places like Iraq, for example. you dont have the same previlege .. :P