More people are using the Midland Metro according to Government statistics released today.

It is the third year in a row that passenger figures have increased and the Department for Transport also reports that growth in the West Midlands is above the national average for light rail systems.

The Government’s statistical report follows news that more Birmingham commuters now use public transport than travel by car.  Bus, train and tram passengers have exceeded the number of motorists in the morning rush hour for the first time.  (view news release)

The number of Midland Metro passengers arriving at Snow Hill from Wolverhampton and West Bromwich each rush hour showed the most significant increase.  It rose by nearly 30 per cent to more than 1200 passengers every morning.

In total, the Department for Transport recorded more than 200,000 extra journeys on the Midland Metro taking the annual total to 5.1 million.  The five ‘new generation’ tram systems in the UK now carry more than 56 million passengers a year between them.

“People are clearly attracted to the Midland Metro as a modern and reliable public transport system,” says Cllr Roger Horton, Metro spokesperson on the region’s Passenger Transport Authority.

He said the tram service regularly operated at more than 98 per cent reliability.

“The Metro now makes an important contribution to cutting congestion in the West Midlands,” adds Cllr Horton.  “Many of the passengers are former car users and the main park and ride sites are full to bursting on most days.”

Public transport promoter Centro calculates that its free park and ride facilities on the Midland Metro now take more than 180,000 car journeys a year off the region’s congested roads.

Follow this link for details of the DfT statistics