 | |
 AnsaldoBreda T-69 tram atTrinity Way in February 2006 | |
| Parent | National Express |
|---|---|
| Founded | 30 May 1999 |
| Ceased operation | 23 June 2018 |
| Headquarters | Wednesbury |
| Locale | Birmingham Sandwell Wolverhampton |
| Service area | West Midlands |
| Service type | Tram |
| Fleet | 21CAF Urbos 3 |
| Daily ridership | 14,000 |
| Website | Express Midland Metro |
National Express Midland Metro operated theMidland Metro tram system betweenBirmingham andWolverhampton in England from May 1999 until June 2018. It was a subsidiary ofNational Express, who also owned the local bus companyNational Express West Midlands. The National Express Midland Metro brand name and logo were not carried on trams and on most publicity, just 'The Metro' branding with the exception of printed timetables.
The Midland Metro was built and operated by the Altram consortium owned byAnsaldo,John Laing andNational Express opening on 30 May 2005.[1][2] In March 2006 National Express bought out its consortium partners.[3][4] Midland Metro was specified and financed by theWest Midlands Passenger Transport Executive. The operating company was previously named Travel Midland Metro in keeping with National Express' previous naming structure for subsidiary companies.
National Express operated the concession until 23 June 2018, when it was taken over byTransport for West Midlands and the tram system renamed toWest Midlands Metro.[5][6][7]
The original fleet consisted of 16AnsaldoBreda T-69 trams. These were replaced by 21CAF Urbos 3s in 2014/15.[8] Originally trams were intended to carry an off-white with yellow, blue and green stripes livery,[9] but instead carried a purple, yellow, red, green and grey livery. This was replaced by a pink and silver livery in 2007.[10]
Media related toWest Midlands Metro at Wikimedia Commons
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