http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-36590999
I wonder how many moaners will complain about 'lazy people not being arsed to walk a few hundred yards to the bus station', as we heard for so many years about the extension in Birmingham city centre? :D
Quote from: Stu on June 21, 2016, 08:29:34 PM
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-36590999
I wonder how many moaners will complain about 'lazy people not being arsed to walk a few hundred yards to the bus station', as we heard for so many years about the extension in Birmingham city centre? :D
It's true and fair enough point though and it's probably quicker to walk than catch the tram from wsg to pipers row.
It will still take too long to build
Quote from: Dom on June 21, 2016, 11:40:52 PM
It's true and fair enough point though and it's probably quicker to walk than catch the tram from wsg to pipers row.
Wolverhampton St George's will be bypassed after the royal stopping at the two new stops, with some trams stopping at Wolverhampton St George's
How will the Brexit affect this?
Quote from: the trainbasher on June 24, 2016, 07:25:03 PM
How will the Brexit affect this?
I'd imagine it won't (I may be wrong but) it is government funded not EU funded, correct?
@Dom damn! I was hoping a Brexit would force it to be cancelled, forcing those lazy people who can't be arsed to have a nice healthy stroll...all for the Greater Good
Oh well I can wish
Makes you wonder why they didn't just follow the old low level rail route from Priestfield to the train station.
Then you wouldn't have had the original disruption of digging up the Bilston Road and now Pipers Row.
I've already had enough of the disruption caused by the council's pointless road layout changes in Wolves city centre and now I get to look forward to this >_<
Quote from: SMK on June 24, 2016, 10:04:49 PM
Makes you wonder why they didn't just follow the old low level rail route from Priestfield to the train station.
Then you wouldn't have had the original disruption of digging up the Bilston Road and now Pipers Row.
I've already had enough of the disruption caused by the council's pointless road layout changes in Wolves city centre and now I get to look forward to this >_<
Remember
@SMK, all this disruption is for the Greater Good. I mean, all that lovely compensation money for the council for roadwork overruns
Work to start in March
http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/next-phase-of-150m-wolverhampton-tram-extension-to-move-forward-in-march
Quote from: SMK on June 24, 2016, 10:04:49 PM
Makes you wonder why they didn't just follow the old low level rail route from Priestfield to the train station.
Then you wouldn't have had the original disruption of digging up the Bilston Road and now Pipers Row.
I've already had enough of the disruption caused by the council's pointless road layout changes in Wolves city centre and now I get to look forward to this >_<
What would be the advantage of turning out passengers at the old Low Level? Seperated from the City Centre by railway, canal and ring road?
What a great waste of taxpayers money. Have people never heard of walking?
Quote from: the trainbasher on January 18, 2018, 06:00:27 PM
What a great waste of taxpayers money. Have people never heard of walking?
How does it get to Wednesfield then without this extension?
Quote from: Tony on January 18, 2018, 06:14:17 PM
How does it get to Wednesfield then without this extension?
What I am mainly objecting to as a resident of the West Midlands is that it will cost more if done as a split from the current line one to Wolverhampton Station and Wolverhampton station to Wednesfield, same with the situation in Birmingham where it is going only as far as Grand Central when they should have been doing the whole lot in one go in my opinion.
Oh I forgot, the taxpayer funding does not matter for the combined authorities wishes at times
Quote from: the trainbasher on January 18, 2018, 06:54:34 PM
What I am mainly objecting to as a resident of the West Midlands is that it will cost more if done as a split from the current line one to Wolverhampton Station and Wolverhampton station to Wednesfield, same with the situation in Birmingham where it is going only as far as Grand Central when they should have been doing the whole lot in one go in my opinion.
Oh I forgot, the taxpayer funding does not matter for the combined authorities wishes at times
They are doing the Birmingham bit in one go. The workmen that did the extension to Grand Central carried on and are still working on the next bit.
With new extensions in the pipeline, I'd imagine that some new trams will be needed if the frequency is to remain as it is. Is there room at wednesbury for a larger fleet? Or maybe there's an additional or alternate site being looked into?
Quote from: Gareth on January 18, 2018, 07:13:47 PM
With new extensions in the pipeline, I'd imagine that some new trams will be needed if the frequency is to remain as it is. Is there room at wednesbury for a larger fleet? Or maybe there's an additional or alternate site being looked into?
The plans for Wednesbury to Brierley Hill (http://metroalliance.co.uk/projects/wednesbury-to-brierley-hill-extension/ (http://metroalliance.co.uk/projects/wednesbury-to-brierley-hill-extension/)) mentions an additional depot although it doesn't say where. It is thought that it would be close to the existing depot.
Quote from: the trainbasher on January 18, 2018, 06:54:34 PM
What I am mainly objecting to as a resident of the West Midlands is that it will cost more if done as a split from the current line one to Wolverhampton Station and Wolverhampton station to Wednesfield, same with the situation in Birmingham where it is going only as far as Grand Central when they should have been doing the whole lot in one go in my opinion.
Oh I forgot, the taxpayer funding does not matter for the combined authorities wishes at times
Walking?? Just like the whole Uber argument started when you could not be bothered to walk to the main road to get 2 buses instead of 3? You could even cut that down to 1 if you walked from Stourbridge to Mary Stevens.
It is not a waste of taxpayers money to extend it to Wolverhampton station as it creates an interchange which the city needs
Would you call the wednesbury to merry hill extension and HS2 a waste of money when it will create more jobs, ease the stress of the already busy new street and west coast main line??
You very good at being a keyboard warrior and when people give their opinion you think yours is the better one and never seem to compromise?
The end of the day the West Midlands is getting some serious investment and it's about time!!
Would you rather the metro say yeah let's extend to wednesfield straight away and come into issues I.e "Another Carillion" or take it a stage at a time.
I seem to remember at one point talk of using the old sidings area at Duddeston for a depot alongside an Eastside extension? Or have I just imagined that?
Quote from: Kevin on January 19, 2018, 08:04:06 AM
I seem to remember at one point talk of using the old sidings area at Duddeston for a depot alongside an Eastside extension? Or have I just imagined that?
That's still the plan to house all the additional electric stock
No one seems to have mentioned that Pipers Row closed last weekend, resulting in the re-opening of Princess St to buses, the 79 and 126 starting outside the police station and Banga 530/545 using the "tourist"coach stop adjacent to the tram stop. There may well be others but I didn't see a leaflet listing the changes, just a new city centre map.
;
There doesn't seem to have been a TfWM update this week - I thought I might have been deleted from the mailing list after slagging them off over the failure to list the Select 71 - and last weeks only includes the 89.
I would love to see trams run from Wolverhampton Station to Tettenhall via Lichfield St and Chapel Ash which is a good 2 mile run.
The internal maps have been updated with the Birmingham extension, and it's now showing that trams bound for Wolverhampton Rail Station won't be stopping at The Royal. I presume they'll run through without stopping so that trams using the extension won't take any longer than ones going to St George's, keeping the timetable the same.
Quote from: StourValley98 on December 16, 2019, 07:03:35 AM
The internal maps have been updated with the Birmingham extension, and it's now showing that trams bound for Wolverhampton Rail Station won't be stopping at The Royal. I presume they'll run through without stopping so that trams using the extension won't take any longer than ones going to St George's, keeping the timetable the same.
This must be a mistake. The map on the website shows the current extension, plus the future extensions to Hagley Road and Wolverhampton station, and shows The Royal as a stop. There is no way that they are going to remove it given the distance between Priestfield and Pipers Row/St Georges and the redevelopment of the Royal Hospital site.
Quote from: Roy on December 16, 2019, 03:48:22 PM
This must be a mistake. The map on the website shows the current extension, plus the future extensions to Hagley Road and Wolverhampton station, and shows The Royal as a stop. There is no way that they are going to remove it given the distance between Priestfield and Pipers Row/St Georges and the redevelopment of the Royal Hospital site.
the extension to the Hagley road is what they are doing now
Quote from: karl724223 on December 16, 2019, 04:41:51 PM
the extension to the Hagley road is what they are doing now
The extention to Hagley Road is being built at present lasts about 800meters thats all on Hagley Road there a no plans to proceed with the original Hagley Road route which would have provided a viable alternative to the Hagley Road Bus Services it is sadly now nothing more than an aspiration. I personally would have welcomed a City to Blackheath/Halesowen Sprint along Hagley Road as an alternative to the current bus services operated.
Quote from: richardjones210368 on December 17, 2019, 10:34:15 AM
The extention to Hagley Road is being built at present lasts about 800meters thats all on Hagley Road there a no plans to proceed with the original Hagley Road route which would have provided a viable alternative to the Hagley Road Bus Services it is sadly now nothing more than an aspiration. I personally would have welcomed a City to Blackheath/Halesowen Sprint along Hagley Road as an alternative to the current bus services operated.
We all know how much you despise the NX Hagley Road routes (you don't seem to give any solutions just complain) the works would just create chaos. With the underpass not opening again being a possibility, that's a risk that can't be taken.
P.S does anybody know when the Wolves works finish?
Quote from: Busboy105 on December 17, 2019, 12:55:21 PM
P.S does anybody know when the Wolves works finish?
The plan is to have the Metro operating when the new railway station fully opens later in 2020. The first phase of the new station is due to open early in 2020 to enable the existing station entrance to be demolished and rebuilt.
How is the Wolves extension doing? When I went there before the corona stuff went down, the tracks were just being put in.
Quote from: Busboy105 on June 15, 2020, 12:23:53 PM
How is the Wolves extension doing? When I went there before the corona stuff went down, the tracks were just being put in.
They've been put in and Pipers Row is back open to traffic.
Quote from: Pat on June 15, 2020, 12:41:10 PM
They've been put in and Pipers Row is back open to traffic.
OK. So when will it be fully operational considering that half of the new Wolves train station is now open?
Quote from: Busboy105 on June 15, 2020, 01:52:50 PM
OK. So when will it be fully operational considering that half of the new Wolves train station is now open?
I am going to hazard a guess and give you the same answer as when you asked last December, with a caveat that it is likely subject to delay due to COVID:
Quote from: Roy on December 19, 2019, 08:55:38 AM
The plan is to have the Metro operating when the new railway station fully opens later in 2020. The first phase of the new station is due to open early in 2020 to enable the existing station entrance to be demolished and rebuilt.
Quote from: Pat on June 15, 2020, 12:41:10 PM
They've been put in and Pipers Row is back open to traffic.
how is the extention going in Wolverhampton I know they got up to Lichfield St Junction. I was just wondering if they've got any further yet?
Quote from: Bus Man K2 on June 15, 2020, 05:05:14 PM
how is the extention going in Wolverhampton I know they got up to Lichfield St Junction. I was just wondering if they've got any further yet?
please read posts above
Quote from: Tony on June 15, 2020, 05:43:42 PM
please read posts above
I know Pipers Row is now open. I wasn't sure if they've got any further than Lichfield St Junction?
so my question still stands. Have they got any further?
Quote from: Bus Man K2 on June 15, 2020, 05:47:43 PM
I know Pipers Row is now open. I wasn't sure if they've got any further than Lichfield St Junction?
so my question still stands. Have they got any further?
The original answer did answer that, but I appreciate it could be read two ways.
The tracks are down and in Tarmac all the way to the station, and Pipers Row is open to normal traffic
Is it true that the extension was originally planned for 2019? If so, what happened?
Quote from: Busboy105 on June 15, 2020, 07:01:31 PM
Is it true that the extension was originally planned for 2019? If so, what happened?
Not sure why, multitude of different reasons. However it isn't unexpected. Infrastructure/building projects like this rarely open on time.
Quote from: Pat on June 15, 2020, 08:23:11 PM
Not sure why, multitude of different reasons. However it isn't unexpected. Infrastructure/building projects like this rarely open on time.
That's very true. The Birmingham extension was delayed for about a month/2 months because of the fault in the tracks(?)
(
correct me if i'm wrong i have very poor memory with these things.)
Quote from: Busboy105 on June 15, 2020, 08:45:46 PM
That's very true. The Birmingham extension was delayed for about a month/2 months because of the fault in the tracks(?)
(correct me if i'm wrong i have very poor memory with these things.)
I can't quite remember. I know that the Edinburgh trams were delayed ages.
IIRC the Wolverhampton extension was to be part of a loop line completed in 2014, two years after Brierley Hill was completed.
It was to do a loop of the top end of the city centre with a spur leading to the rail station and Wednesbury via Walsall.
Quote from: the trainbasher on June 15, 2020, 09:55:30 PM
IIRC the Wolverhampton extension was to be part of a loop line completed in 2014, two years after Brierley Hill was completed.
It was to do a loop of the top end of the city centre with a spur leading to the rail station and Wednesbury via Walsall.
Part of me thinks that if TFWM and WMCA was founded about two decades ago, we probably would have a lot more Metro lines than we do now. But at least something is being done now I suppose...
Quote from: Busboy105 on June 15, 2020, 10:27:54 PM
Part of me thinks that if TFWM and WMCA was founded about two decades ago, we probably would have a lot more Metro lines than we do now. But at least something is being done now I suppose...
Yeah. I think it was roughly the same time that "Line 1" opened that plans were built up.
Great Barr, 5 W's, Quinton/Four Dwellings, Eastside, Airport were all plans IIRC as well as Dudley and Wolverhampton Loop.
I think it was a case of the financial will against the Political Won't (+ the 2008 worldwide recession) that caused them all to be cancelled/delayed.
Quote from: the trainbasher on June 15, 2020, 10:44:12 PM
Yeah. I think it was roughly the same time that "Line 1" opened that plans were built up.
Great Barr, 5 W's, Quinton/Four Dwellings, Eastside, Airport were all plans IIRC as well as Dudley and Wolverhampton Loop.
I think it was a case of the financial will against the Political Won't (+ the 2008 worldwide recession) that caused them all to be cancelled/delayed.
In some ways, some of those areas is getting served by either the Sprint or future extensions of the Metro.
The Metro extension cannot open until the second phase of the Wolverhampton station redevelopment is complete. The first phase opened last month and this means that the existing station building (including the old booking office) can now been demolished and rebuilt. The location of the tram stop will be part of this building site and will be inaccessible to the general public until phase 2 is completed and the new station fully opened. This is now scheduled for early 2021.
Quote from: Roy on June 16, 2020, 05:12:51 PM
The Metro extension cannot open until the second phase of the Wolverhampton station redevelopment is complete. The first phase opened last month and this means that the existing station building (including the old booking office) can now been demolished and rebuilt. The location of the tram stop will be part of this building site and will be inaccessible to the general public until phase 2 is completed and the new station fully opened. This is now scheduled for early 2021.
Was that pushed back because of COVID?
Quote from: Busboy105 on June 16, 2020, 05:44:21 PM
Was that pushed back because of COVID?
Yes, because all construction work across the country stopped for 2 months.
Quote from: Roy on June 16, 2020, 05:12:51 PM
The Metro extension cannot open until the second phase of the Wolverhampton station redevelopment is complete. The first phase opened last month and this means that the existing station building (including the old booking office) can now been demolished and rebuilt. The location of the tram stop will be part of this building site and will be inaccessible to the general public until phase 2 is completed and the new station fully opened. This is now scheduled for early 2021.
None of the publicity said anything about the new building including a ticket office - only machines. And needless to say the plan on the NRE site is no help.
Quote from: mikestone on June 16, 2020, 09:59:55 PM
None of the publicity said anything about the new building including a ticket office - only machines. And needless to say the plan on the NRE site is no help.
Wouldn't surprise me if there wasn't a ticket office. Reminds me of when the new Wood Lane station in West London opened. LU didn't include a ticket office, as they were closing all ticket offices across the network.
Quote from: Pat on June 16, 2020, 10:51:32 PM
Wouldn't surprise me if there wasn't a ticket office. Reminds me of when the new Wood Lane station in West London opened. LU didn't include a ticket office, as they were closing all ticket offices across the network.
I don't know why the ticket offices were closed. Hundreds of people have lost their jobs and tourists are gonna struggle when they wanna access the network.
Quote from: Busboy105 on June 16, 2020, 11:15:27 PM
I don't know why the ticket offices were closed. Hundreds of people have lost their jobs and tourists are gonna struggle when they wanna access the network.
They would have got other roles, so wouldn't have lost their job. Also, tourists seem to be able to use the machines easily and quickly and there is always a staff member on hand to assist at busy stations. The machines are much quicker than using the ticket office. They basically shut them to save money.
Quote from: Pat on June 16, 2020, 10:51:32 PM
Wouldn't surprise me if there wasn't a ticket office. Reminds me of when the new Wood Lane station in West London opened. LU didn't include a ticket office, as they were closing all ticket offices across the network.
I wasn't meaning to suggest there was no ticket office - clearly there will be a franchise commitment to have one - but that the existing one was presumably still in use.
;
As far as London is concerned I have found the roving staff much more on the ball than booking office staff ever were.
Quote from: mikestone on June 17, 2020, 12:40:19 PM
I wasn't meaning to suggest there was no ticket office - clearly there will be a franchise commitment to have one - but that the existing one was presumably still in use.
;
As far as London is concerned I have found the roving staff much more on the ball than booking office staff ever were.
They've always got staff helping customers on the machines at Victoria. It's the same at the Avanti machines at New Street. I never see many people queueing at the ticket office at New Street, instead using the machines.
It was stated that, once phase 1 of the new station building was complete, the existing station buildings alongside platform 1 would be closed and demolished to enable the second phase of buildings to be built. Thus the old booking office would be demolished in phase 2. A fly through of the new building which was posted before work started on phase 1 stated that the new station would have a "New Street style" ticket office with ATMs. Looking at the planned route for the Wolverhampton Metro extension on the Midland Metro Alliance website, it shows that it passes through the old booking office area. https://metroalliance.co.uk/projects/wolverhampton-city-centre-extension/
Quote from: Pat on June 17, 2020, 09:53:33 AM
They would have got other roles, so wouldn't have lost their job. Also, tourists seem to be able to use the machines easily and quickly and there is always a staff member on hand to assist at busy stations. The machines are much quicker than using the ticket office. They basically shut them to save money.
If you've been to some Underground stations (especially Euston), the queues are usually long for the machines and there's usually only one staff member who helps with people with the machines and that's a problem at peak times when there are multiple people who need help with the machines and there's only one guy to help them.
Quote from: Pat on June 16, 2020, 10:51:32 PM
Wouldn't surprise me if there wasn't a ticket office. Reminds me of when the new Wood Lane station in West London opened. LU didn't include a ticket office, as they were closing all ticket offices across the network.
The reason why LU closed the ticket offices was that following the introduction of the Oyster card, very few people were actually going to the ticket offices to buy tickets (the only places where lots of people did was at the LU stations at National Rail London termini & Heathrow Airport). Especially as Oyster fares are cheaper than buying a ticket from the machine e.g Heathrow to Kings Cross St Pancras is £6.00 cash single (both peak & off peak) but the contactless / Oyster fare is only £3.10 off peak and the peak fare is £5.10.
Therefore most of the time, the ticket office clerks were doing nothing so LU decided to move these people outside into the concourse where they were more accessible to the public. The staff have a special log on for the ticket machines which enables them to do transactions that the public cannot e.g. adding a National Railcard discount to an Oyster card.
Now that lots of people use Contactless rather than Oyster there is even less reason for the ticket offices to exist as the staff cannot sort out problems on a credit / debit card.
Quote from: Busboy105 on June 17, 2020, 03:46:31 PM
If you've been to some Underground stations (especially Euston), the queues are usually long for the machines and there's usually only one staff member who helps with people with the machines and that's a problem at peak times when there are multiple people who need help with the machines and there's only one guy to help them.
I've never had to queue at Euston. Only ever had to queue at Victoria, but only for about 5 minutes. There's usually 2 station assistants on the machines.
Quote from: Pat on June 17, 2020, 05:44:45 PM
I've never had to queue at Euston. Only ever had to queue at Victoria, but only for about 5 minutes. There's usually 2 station assistants on the machines.
And has been said, I never need to use ticket office or machines, just touch my bank card on the barriers which is always the cheapest way of travelling, and for a couple of odd tickets is actually cheaper than Oyster
Call me a luddite, but I prefer to speak to a person in a ticket office, rather than go to a machine when it comes to buying travel tickets, especially when splits or seat reservations are involved. I would also rather have a paper ticket than a mobile ticket - a paper ticket never gets a flat battery.
I don't get the obsession with contactless anyway. It just hastens the demise of cold hard cash (cash never gets declined for shopping when the bank computer systems are down - such as the big Visa card problems a couple of years ago, plus you can feel the money being spent with cold hard cash - much easier to budget)
Plus with contactless in London you can't get railcard discounts on the daily cap compared to a paper ticket or Oyster.
Quote from: the trainbasher on June 17, 2020, 06:08:25 PM
Call me a luddite, but I prefer to speak to a person in a ticket office, rather than go to a machine when it comes to buying travel tickets, especially when splits or seat reservations are involved. I would also rather have a paper ticket than a mobile ticket - a paper ticket never gets a flat battery.
I don't get the obsession with contactless anyway. It just hastens the demise of cold hard cash (cash never gets declined for shopping when the bank computer systems are down - such as the big Visa card problems a couple of years ago, plus you can feel the money being spent with cold hard cash - much easier to budget)
Plus with contactless in London you can't get railcard discounts on the daily cap compared to a paper ticket or Oyster.
I see what you mean by that.
https://www.expressandstar.com/news/local-hubs/wolverhampton/2022/07/16/major-construction-activity-on-west-midlands-metro-extension-in-wolverhampton-has-been-completed/
They're looking at commencing testing on the line after the Commonwealth Games has concluded.
Still can't work out the logic in keeping the St Georges stop and having to have trams run to there instead of all to the rail station
Quote from: Kevin on July 18, 2022, 12:14:23 PMStill can't work out the logic in keeping the St Georges stop and having to have trams run to there instead of all to the rail station
Because not everyone wants to go to the rail station y'know. They may want to go to to the Mander Centre or Market. Plus what about those who may not be able to walk the longer distance without being in discomfort?
According to express and stat the extension to wolvo won't open this side of Christmas. They are blaming COVID, lack of supplies
Sure it's not leaves on the line! :cheesy:
Quote from: Ginger66 on October 29, 2022, 03:55:24 PMAccording to express and stat the extension to wolvo won't open this side of Christmas. They are blaming COVID, lack of supplies
"unforeseen supply chain constraints"
https://www.expressandstar.com/news/local-hubs/wolverhampton/2022/10/28/wolverhampton-metro-extension-delay-until-spring-2023-is-catastrophe-for-city/
Currently installing signals outside Wolves bus station to allow trams to pull out of the bay stop northbound.
And the wait gets longer!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-64499443
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on February 06, 2023, 11:17:23 PMAnd the wait gets longer!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-64499443
Services will possible start anniversary weekend
Quote from: Ginger66 on February 08, 2023, 07:27:36 PMServices will possible start anniversary weekend
The 10th anniversary of when they started building it?
Construction started in March 2018, though I agree it does feel like 10 years!
Quote from: Stevo on February 09, 2023, 09:01:43 AMConstruction started in March 2018, though I agree it does feel like 10 years!
That just means that services will start March 2028 :D
QuoteThat just means that services will start March 2028 :D
At the rate the Merry Hill extension is going, it'll be 2050 by time the Wolverhampton Rail Extension is open!
Has testing started yet?
When I visited last week the station stop wasn't complete, with the area around the rails unfinished, and Pipers Row by the bus station was being dug up for no obvious reason.
Quote from: Stevo on April 02, 2023, 09:14:24 AMWhen I visited last week the station stop wasn't complete, with the area around the rails unfinished, and Pipers Row by the bus station was being dug up for no obvious reason.
Resurfacing in Pipers Row I believe following installation and relocation of underground cables.
According to the latest West Midlands Trains Stakeholder Newsletter, West Midlands Metro will be testing its trams outside Wolverhampton station during April.
Quote from: Roy on April 03, 2023, 12:47:15 PMAccording to the latest West Midlands Trains Stakeholder Newsletter, West Midlands Metro will be testing its trams outside Wolverhampton station during April.
Better tell the workers down there as there were still barriers across the tracks when I went down today.
Quote from: Rachvince53 on April 03, 2023, 09:49:21 PMBetter tell the workers down there as there were still barriers across the tracks when I went down today.
Probably barriers up because there's no trams on test yet. I'm sure they'll be removed when it starts.
Quote from: Gareth on April 03, 2023, 09:52:17 PMProbably barriers up because there's no trams on test yet. I'm sure they'll be removed when it starts.
No platform there either.
Getting ready for the five-year test I guess.
https://twitter.com/WMmetro/status/1643225713745510403?s=20
Testing started last night - Tram 43 was the first tram along to Wolves Station
So hopefully it shouldn't take long to train drivers the route,
If they do runs a few runs each night several drivers can be trained at the same time so all drivers are aware of the route
When is the metro extension meant to be opening, as testing as being completed as we speak
Quote from: Jack D on June 26, 2023, 09:04:34 AMWhen is the metro extension meant to be opening, as testing as being completed as we speak
I know it would be quicker to walk from the station to the royal at this rate
https://twitter.com/midlandtram/status/1669668645348458497
Apparently they've moved up to "driver familiarisation training" now.
I thought TfWM runs the public transport and that of midland metro. I asked them earlier when on god's earth does this extension open and they could not answer the question and directed me to the construction page.
We know the line as been tested but there is still no answer to when the extension opens. Deadline after deadline as been missed.
Quote from: Ginger66 on June 26, 2023, 09:07:13 PMI thought TfWM runs the public transport and that of midland metro. I asked them earlier when on god's earth does this extension open and they could not answer the question and directed me to the construction page.
We know the line as been tested but there is still no answer to when the extension opens. Deadline after deadline as been missed.
I remember that the extension in Birmingham to the Library opened quite suddenly without any advance notice, so when this extension will open is anyone's guess.
I wish TfWM could be more forthcoming about opening timescales. I am sorry to say that their comms motto seems to be "keep them guessing".
Quote from: Justin Tyme on June 26, 2023, 09:22:37 PMI remember that the extension in Birmingham to the Library opened quite suddenly without any advance notice, so when this extension will open is anyone's guess.
I wish TfWM could be more forthcoming about opening timescales. I am sorry to say that their comms motto seems to be "keep them guessing".
There was gossip or hear say that it opens this Sunday or next Tuesday.
QuoteThere was gossip or hear say that it opens this Sunday or next Tuesday.
Was planned for 4th July, that is no longer happening.
Quote from: Dom on June 27, 2023, 07:19:42 PMWas planned for 4th July, that is no longer happening.
Why are the deadlines always missed on this extension and even when you ask the metro it self they say we don't have a date for opening.
So what is left to do to before opening can happen as the way things are going we will be heading into late 2023 or even late 2024.
So opening week is here? Will it be happening
QuoteSo opening week is here? Will it be happening
Literally two posts ago I said it wasn't happening. Driver training hasn't started yet.
Quote from: Dom on July 02, 2023, 02:54:45 PMLiterally two posts ago I said it wasn't happening. Driver training hasn't started yet.
It will be interesting to see when training starts on the new road section.
Quote from: Ginger66 on July 05, 2023, 08:44:05 PMIt will be interesting to see when training starts on the new road section.
And how long before one breaks down there!
Opening "still weeks away"
QuoteThe £50 million Metro link from St George's down Pipers Row to Railway Plaza was meant to be completed in 2020 but has been beset by budget rises and delays. But bosses at Midland Metro Alliance now say that signalling works are due to be finished by early August.
Resurfacing work will then have to be carried out over five days along Pipers Row, before the track is handed over for drivers to familiarise themselves with the route. Services to Wolverhampton railway station will then begin, but the delays mean it will be well into the school summer holidays before the extension may open.
Midland Metro Alliance previously said the final stages of testing and commissioning are a "complex process", but council bosses warned the delays were undermining plans to make Wolverhampton a 'destination city'.
A Midland Metro Alliance spokesperson said: "Testing and commissioning of a new tramway is a complex process and is completed to ensure that all assets and systems are installed and configured correctly.
"In the most recent testing phase it became apparent that an element of recently installed signal infrastructure for the new route needed to be reconfigured.
"This is a specialist undertaking and is currently scheduled to be completed by early August.
"Following this, some outstanding resurfacing activities will be completed over a period of five days along Pipers Row. It is expected that the route will be handed over to the operator shortly after for driver familiarisation ahead of services beginning to Wolverhampton railway station.
https://www.expressandstar.com/news/local-hubs/wolverhampton/2023/07/14/long-awaited-opening-of-wolverhampton-metro-extension-still-weeks-away/
A cost of £50 million for a 720 metre line of track that has taken several years to build. I think they overuse the words 'complex' and 'complexities' to cover up incompetence.
Four months on since testing and commissioning started and there is no news when the extension opens to the public.
What is the delay now .
Quote from: Ginger66 on August 01, 2023, 08:38:56 PMFour months on since testing and commissioning started and there is no news when the extension opens to the public.
What is the delay now .
As
@ellspurs pointed out in the bus Diversions thread, it seems to be a competition between this & Junction 10, for being dragged out!
Quote from: Ginger66 on August 01, 2023, 08:38:56 PMFour months on since testing and commissioning started and there is no news when the extension opens to the public.
What is the delay now .
The recent delay was supposedly down to signalling issues. Still no date for opening.
Quote from: LiamsTransport1 on August 01, 2023, 09:16:11 PMThe recent delay was supposedly down to signalling issues. Still no date for opening.
Workers were digging between the tracks outside the Co-op at the railway station yesterday morning.
" but the delays mean it will be well into the school summer holidays before the extension may open. "
Which school holidays are they and more importantly which year!!
Pipers row closed for resurfacing between 14th and 18th so might be getting close to being open
Didn't the express and star report testing began in April yet nearly now five months on the line still not open.
Can't be too far off now...
https://twitter.com/TransportForWM/status/1695453558441693443
The website says that once training is completed the service will be to the station branch only and not serve St Georges for a short time while alterations are made so that trams can serve both St Georges and the station. Presumably this won't be on the same journey but alternate journeys. Does that mean that there'll be a tram to the station and to St Georges only every 20 minutes?
Quote from: Stevo on August 28, 2023, 10:00:07 AMThe website says that once training is completed the service will be to the station branch only and not serve St Georges for a short time while alterations are made so that trams can serve both St Georges and the station. Presumably this won't be on the same journey but alternate journeys. Does that mean that there'll be a tram to the station and to St Georges only every 20 minutes?
I thought the plan was one in six trams to serve at Georges
That would be utter nonsense - one an hour - unless they have realised its barely any more convenient than Pipers Row and want to ustify its abandonment?
Quote from: Stevo on August 28, 2023, 10:00:07 AMThe website says that once training is completed the service will be to the station branch only and not serve St Georges for a short time while alterations are made so that trams can serve both St Georges and the station. Presumably this won't be on the same journey but alternate journeys. Does that mean that there'll be a tram to the station and to St Georges only every 20 minutes?
From what is described, the tram would eventually serve St George's then proceed in reverse to where the line towards the station leaves the current line and then take the new line to the station. Leaving the station it would proceed along the new line, then reverse into St George's before proceeding as now.
However that is just my interpretation.
When the extension opens after the railway station is complete, the Metro will run from Edgbaston Village to Wolverhampton St George's and Wolverhampton Railway Station.
Every other Metro will terminate at Wolverhampton St. George's as part of a 'shopper's service'. Passenger information will be displayed on the front of the Metro and at all stops. During construction of the extension, the Metro will serve Wolverhampton St. George's as usual.
https://metroalliance.co.uk/projects/wolverhampton-city-centre-extension/
At the time that was written, I believe the Metro had a higher daytime frequency, was it 7-8mins at one point?
The reference to 'shoppers service' could intimate that early morning and late evening journeys might only serve the train station.
Quote from: Stu on August 28, 2023, 01:32:56 PMWhen the extension opens after the railway station is complete, the Metro will run from Edgbaston Village to Wolverhampton St George's and Wolverhampton Railway Station.
Every other Metro will terminate at Wolverhampton St. George's as part of a 'shopper's service'. Passenger information will be displayed on the front of the Metro and at all stops. During construction of the extension, the Metro will serve Wolverhampton St. George's as usual.
https://metroalliance.co.uk/projects/wolverhampton-city-centre-extension/
At the time that was written, I believe the Metro had a higher daytime frequency, was it 7-8mins at one point?
The reference to 'shoppers service' could intimate that early morning and late evening journeys might only serve the train station.
Yes it was every 7/8 minutes, that was before lockdown I believe. As for the reference to shoppers service, I vaguely recall that it was indeed proposed that only off-peak services would serve St George's although I think this was dropped after complaints.
Won't some of the Dudley services also run to Wolverhampton?
Quote from: the trainbasher on August 28, 2023, 05:03:46 PMWon't some of the Dudley services also run to Wolverhampton?
At this point in time, it is too early to say. There's no mention of this on the website, though the map does indicate it branches in both directions.
https://metroalliance.co.uk/projects/wednesbury-to-brierley-hill-extension/
You could potentially have three Metro routes:
MM1 - Wolverhampton to Birmingham
MM2 - Wolverhampton to Dudley/Brierley Hill
MM3 - Birmingham to Dudley/Brierley Hill
Quote from: Stu on August 28, 2023, 06:06:37 PMAt this point in time, it is too early to say. There's no mention of this on the website, though the map does indicate it branches in both directions.
https://metroalliance.co.uk/projects/wednesbury-to-brierley-hill-extension/
You could potentially have three Metro routes:
MM1 - Wolverhampton to Birmingham
MM2 - Wolverhampton to Dudley/Brierley Hill
MM3 - Birmingham to Dudley/Brierley Hill
Then you also have
MM4 Edgbaston to Digbeth
MM5 Digbeth to Dudley/Brierley Hill
I rode up to The Royal from Corporation St at about lunchtime. The tram said it was going to St Georges but we were unceremoniously chucked off into the rain. In fairness the other trams showed The Royal. But I didn't see a single tram using the extension for any purpose.
The trams were running along the Wolves extension empty today - showed Edgbaston Village on destination in both directions!
How long is the training for
Quote from: Solo1 on August 31, 2023, 10:35:23 AMHow long is the training for
Until all the drivers have been trained.
Quote from: Stu on August 31, 2023, 10:45:57 AMUntil all the drivers have been trained.
I know that but was saying was it 2 or 3 weeks of training
https://westmidlandsmetro.com/disruptions/newstopstoopen17september/
.
So, did it open? Has anyone seen the trams moving around there?
Yes - I did it both ways on Thursday, almost had the tram to myself both ways between Pipers Row and the station.
;
I also did the non-preferred platform at Edgbaston - not sure why as although the service was disrupted there wasn't one in the platform nearer the road which I am told is normally used.
;
In fact I was slightly bemused as leaving Wolves the screen was showing a 25 minute gap after the one I caught, but then on arrival at Edgbaston the next was at the normal interval, which is understandable as one may have come into service but then there was a 25 minute gap.
You can't make this stuff up, barely a week after opening, there was a 'signal failure'.
https://twitter.com/WMmetro/status/1705628112015270050
Quote from: ellspurs on September 23, 2023, 05:15:34 PMSo, did it open? Has anyone seen the trams moving around there?
I saw the reflection of one while I was waiting in stand U in the bus station for the shuttle bus.
Quote from: ellspurs on September 23, 2023, 05:15:34 PMSo, did it open? Has anyone seen the trams moving around there?
Yes. Although running seemingly mostly empty between the station and Pipers Row, they are definitely running.
Er - like I said four posts up!