The inquiry is investigating why the cost of the tram project increased from an £375m to around £1 billion and was completed years late in 2014 after an acrimonious dispute between its builders and a city council company leading the project.
Contents
How much did Edinburgh tram system cost?
Construction began in June 2008, and after encountering delays it opened on 31 May 2014. The scheme had an initial estimated cost of £375 million in 2003, but by May 2008, when contracts were signed, the cost had risen to £521 million. The final cost after delays was £776 million.
Do Edinburgh Trams make money?
Passenger revenue of Edinburgh Trams in the United Kingdom 2014-2021. Since beginning operations on May 31, 2014, Edinburgh Trams increased its passenger revenue in each fiscal year, peaking in the 2019/20 financial year at around 15.9 million British pounds.
When did the Edinburgh tram start?
Edinburgh TramsSuccessful Public Opening on 31 May 2014
The first public service was at 05:00 from the Gyle Centre to York Place and by 04:30 a large crowd had already gathered eager to be on the first tram. A crowded tram duly set out on its first public run and that first weekend over 40,000 people travelled on the new service.
How much does an Edinburgh tram driver earn?
‘Great opportunity’
The job advert said candidates needed to have the “ability and desire to work safely, be flexible and deliver customer service excellence,” as well as “well developed concentration and communication skills.” Tram drivers will start earning between £20,000 and £24,000 a year to operate the vehicles.
Why did Edinburgh Trams fail?
The council’s attempt at getting it funded through a congestion tax referendum in 2005 proved a humiliating failure, losing 74 per cent. As a result, funding proposals were considered by the Scottish Parliament, who were unwilling to finance Line 3, reducing the scope of the project to the first two.
Are trams free in Edinburgh?
If the answer to both questions is yes, you can travel for free on Edinburgh Trams. Please note, Scottish National Entitlement Cards that do not have City of Edinburgh Council as the issuing Local Authority are not valid on tram services.
How much do trams cost to build?
When it was officially announced in 2012 after they took office, the project was set to cost $1.6 billion. That figure became $2.1 billion in 2014 — an increase the Auditor-General found to be the result of “mispricing and omissions in the business case”.
Do Edinburgh Trams run 24 hours?
Trams run from every 7 minutes throughout the daytime, 7 days a week. In the early morning and during the evenings trams run from every 10 minutes.
Who commissioned the Edinburgh trams?
the Scottish Government
A report by Audit Scotland, commissioned by the Scottish Government, confirmed that the cost projections were sound. Initial costs for the scheme were £498 million, with £375 million funding from the Scottish Government and £45 million by Edinburgh council.
When did the last tram run in Edinburgh?
16 November 1956
The last Edinburgh tram ran on 16 November 1956.
Is Edinburgh miserable?
Edinburgh has been outed as the most miserable place to live in the UK. Just 16 per cent of Edinburgh residents describe their lives as ‘happy’, favouring the word ‘anxious’ instead. Liverpool, Southampton and Glasgow could also be found near the bottom of the table for happiness levels.
When did the old trams stop running in Edinburgh?
16 November 1956
Edinburgh’s last tram operated on 16 November 1956, terminating at the Shrubhill Depot on Leith Walk (archive film footage exists of the event). One tramcar has been preserved – number 35, built in 1948 – which was put on display in a small museum at the Shrubhill Depot for a number of years.
How much does a bus driver earn in Edinburgh?
The highest salary for a Bus Driver in Edinburgh Area is £34,161 per year. The lowest salary for a Bus Driver in Edinburgh Area is £21,955 per year.
How much do tram drivers earn UK?
The average tram driver salary in the United Kingdom is £24,606 per year or £12.62 per hour. Entry level positions start at £19,214 per year while most experienced workers make up to £36,775 per year.
How do I become a train driver in Scotland?
You’ll need to apply for a driver trainee programme with a train company. Most train companies expect drivers to have qualifications in English and maths at SCQF Level 4/5. You would attend a year-long training programme with learning in the classroom and simulators.
What went wrong in Edinburgh tram project?
A 2011 review by Audit Scotland ruled the tram project had been undermined by poor planning, cost underestimates, contract disputes and a lack of clear leadership by the council. Nearly a decade on, it is hard to see how the public inquiry will deviate from this view.
How long has the tram been in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh had trams of various design running through he city streets between 1871 and 1956. It all began on November 6th 1871, when the Edinburgh Street tramways Company ran the very first horse-drawn tram from Haymarket in the west of Edinburgh, to Bernard street in the heart of Leith.
Are there trams in Scotland?
Edinburgh Trams
Trams run frequently along the route, every 7-9 minutes during the daytime. There are sixteen tram stops along the route, with most stops allowing onward connections to other bus and/or national rail services.
Are Edinburgh trams free for over 60s?
Free travel for over-60s on trams in Edinburgh could be scrapped as the city council moves to save money. Concessionary fares, which are available to over-60s who live in the capital, are subsidised by the council.The fare proposals would not take effect until 2021/22.
Can you pay by card on Edinburgh trams?
Edinburgh Trams is set to streamline customer ticket purchases with the introduction of contactless payments. Ticket machines at tram stops will be able to accept debit or credit card electronic payment technology for all fares without the need to enter a PIN number.
