The growing number of commuters using the Midland Metro during the rush hour are to get more tram services from the New Year.

An increase to one tram every six minutes is planned to cope with the volume of passengers arriving at Birmingham Snow Hill every morning.  There will be a similar increase in frequency during the evening peak.

Local councillors have welcomed the move, which is revealed in a report to the watchdog Passenger Transport Authority.

“As the Midland Metro gets more popular we have been having a problem with over-crowded trams during the rush hour,” comments PTA lead member for Midland Metro Cllr Roger Horton.

“We have been talking with the operator about getting improvements for passengers, so it is good news that they will soon be providing a more frequent service at such a crucial time.”

He said he had received many comments from users of the Metro welcoming the move.

The increased frequency will apply from Monday 3 January, but only at the very height of the rush hour.  Councillors now hope to persuade the operator Travel Midland Metro to extend the period and are in talks to negotiate an enhanced service at other times.

More Birmingham commuters now use public transport than travel in their car each morning.  One in five travel by train and a growing number use the Midland Metro.  More than 1200 commuters arrive by tram at Snow Hill each morning.

The report to councillors on the PTA Integrated Passenger Services Committee sums up the performance of the Midland Metro service.  It says reliability has consistently exceeded 98 per cent.