The opening of a new line has delivered a massive boost to the popularity of Edinburgh’s award-winning tram network, with customer numbers more than doubling since the first tram bound for Newhaven departed the city centre.
More than seven million tram trips were recorded by the operator in the second half of 2023, compared to 3.4 million during the same period the previous year.
The extraordinary figures released this week reflect the dedication of the entire Edinburgh Trams team to ensuring residents, visitors and local businesses enjoy maximum benefit from the £207 million investment in the line.
Lea Harrison, Edinburgh Trams Managing Director, explained: “The completion of the Trams Newhaven project on time and on budget was a remarkable achievement, but the positive impact of the new route on the communities it serves has been equally impressive.
“In June 2023, our ‘Cleaner, better, faster, longer’ launch campaign helped the extended services get off to a flying start, and new stops such as The Shore and Ocean Terminal are now among the busiest on the network.
“We’ve also established partnerships with businesses and attractions along the route, including Royal Yacht Britannia, Port of Leith Distillery and Cruise Forth, which have also helped attract visitors while driving up customer numbers.”
Overall, 9.3 million journeys were taken by tram in 2023 – a 90 per cent increase on 2022 – and records began to tumble even before the launch of services to Newhaven. In May, Edinburgh Trams recorded its highest daily patronage figures when Harry Styles took to the stage at Murrayfield Stadium, and the operator’s support for major cultural and sporting events in the city continues to help drive the expanded network’s growing popularity.
Commenting on the clear success of the new route, George Lowder, Chief Executive of Transport for Edinburgh, said: “Forming the backbone of an integrated transport network, the expanded tramway is also helping us to meet our target of becoming a Net Zero city by 2030.
“Since the opening of the line, we’ve seen an increasing number of people discover the benefits of public transport and take advantage of a swift, convenient and reliable way to get around our great city for business or leisure.”
While the popularity of the tram has reached new heights in 2023, further enhancements are planned in the months ahead. These include final testing of an integrated tap-on, tap-off contactless ticketing system.
Lea Harrison added: “The past year has seen the Edinburgh Trams go from strength to strength, but we’re never complacent and constantly striving to deliver an even better experience for customers while finding innovative ways to make the tram an increasingly attractive travel option.”
Other key facts from the 2023 patronage figures include:
· 9.3 million customer journeys in 2023, an increase of over 90 per cent on the 4.8 million recorded in 2022.
· The busiest month across the network was August, when 1.2 million trips were recorded.
· Edinburgh Airport was the busiest stop on the network.
· The Shore was the busiest stop on the new route to Newhaven.
