Latest Rail News

02.09.13

Wimbledon trams to double capacity

Four new trams have been ordered to increase capacity on the Wimbledon – Croydon link, London Tramlink has announced.

The Stadler trams are part of the £30m Wimbledon Line Enhancement Project, which has replaced a section of single line with double tracks and delivered an additional tram platform at Wimbledon station.

The extra trams will boost capacity by 50% and improve access to Central Croydon, providing journey times of under an hour for 25,000 people in the area.

Transport for London’s director of London rail, Jonathan Fox, said: “This increase from eight to 12 trams per hour with a 50% rise in capacity on the Wimbledon branch will greatly improve tram frequency, reduce waiting times and increase reliability as well as making for a better passenger experience.

“As London’s population grows this is an important expansion to the tram network, bringing more convenient and efficient tram connections and moving more people around the capital to leisure, education and employment opportunities. At the same time, congestion on buses is relieved and car owners are encouraged to leave their vehicles at home, helping to reduce carbon emissions.”

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Image c. TfL

Comments

Ricp   04/09/2013 at 23:26

How about a picture of one the new Stadler Variobahn Trams as opposed to one of the earlier Bombardier Flexity 4000 trams which operated from 2000? When I last looked they hadn't even started the works at Wimbledon or Mitcham to increase the line capacity, but it is interesting to look at the history of the line, and how a 30 minute frequency service got reduced to 45 minute intervals, one 2-car train shuttling back and forth. When the upgade is complete trams currently running every 8 minutes to every 5 minutes. Shows what happens when you provide a decent service, and that the original arrangement for the much less frequent service from 2000 was not enough. Thank goodness the PFI deal was bought out by TfL but at a price!

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