Edinburgh Trams will trial extended service times for six weeks from 19 October to help passengers make earlier flight connections and improve the service provided at Ingliston Park & Ride.
Trams leaving York Place will depart 29 minutes earlier and the first departure from the airport will be 89 minutes earlier than at present.
Lesley Hinds, Chair of Transport for Edinburgh said:
The Edinburgh Trams service is doing well and we know there is potential to continue to enhance what we offer. What we’re doing here is testing that potential out to see if extended hours will benefit customers whilst at the same time being commercially viable.
Ian Craig, Chief Executive of Transport for Edinburgh said:
The red eye trial is part of fitting a missing piece of the jigsaw into our service. Passenger numbers are healthy and customer satisfaction is high so now, after a successful first year and a healthy start to year two, it’s the right time to work up proposals for further enhancements. It’s important to remember that this extension will only last six weeks initially and then go back to normal so we can assess the findings properly with our maintenance contractors. Once that work is complete then full consideration can be given to a permanent extension of service.
Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport said:
We wholeheartedly welcome this trial as it offers our passengers more choice on how to get to the airport during what is our peak time. It responds directly to what our passengers are telling us and we look forward to working with TFE during the trial on how we can make the service permanent.
David Birrell, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce said:
This is a positive move from Edinburgh Trams and something we’ve been keen to see for some time. Any enhancement to the service is welcome but this will be of particular benefit to business travellers so I hope the trial is a big success.
The red eye trial is being carried out from the 19 October - 29 November inclusive.
Trial tram times:
First tram from Airport to York Place will leave at 0446 (currently 0615)
First tram from York Place to the Airport will leave at 0500 (currently 0529)
This first tram to depart Ingliston Park & Ride will leave at 0448 (currently 0618)
The first tram from the Gyle heading City bound will leave at 0430 (currently 0500)
The six week long trial is being carried out to test the impact on the maintenance regime for tram infrastructure and vehicles. It is an essential part of preparations for any potential timetable improvements.
It is hoped that the extended timetable will also have a further positive impact on Ingliston Park & Ride. From 31 May - 29 August 57,375 cars parked at the facility, compared with 37,020 during the same period in 2014, an increase of 55%.