From signalling problems to break downs, just some of the reasons trams were disrupted on 13 of last 18 working days

Bosses today apologised for a list of faults and excuses reveal passengers were left waiting, taking replacement bus services and even walking - all in the run up to and after an inflation busting hike in the fares that came into effect last week.

We're currently experiencing technical issues, passengers are advised to use alternative bus services until further notice.sincere apologies

Shuttle tram is operating between West Bromwich and Snow Hill only. Currently leaving Kenrick Pk towards West Bromwich.

December 20

Trams turning at Priestfield due to points failure at Royal crossover..

December 21

Delays in service heading towards B'ham due to last minute repairs, service will be back to normal ASAP..

December 22

Midland Metro - All Trams are running from B'Ham Snow Hill to Priestfield only

The metro is terminating at Priestfield this evening due to traffic signal problems on the Bilston Road. We apologise for any inconvenience.

December 23

The Metro is operating between Wednesbury Parkway & Birmingham only at present due to a tram at Priestfield waiting for an ambulance.

December 26

Major delays due to tram broken down at HAW

December 27

The Metro is operating between Birmingham & Priestfield only at present due to a broken down tram at The Royal

December 28

The Metro is operating between Birmingham and Priestfield today. Sorry for any inconvenience.

December 31

Due to a Tram failure at Birmingham Snowhill there will be a 9 tram service operating for a short time. We apologise for and delays

Due to an electrical fault on tram 22 we will be running an eight tram service until further notice. We apologise for any delays.

January 1

Due to a RTC trams will be running from Bham Snowhill to Priestfield until further notice

January 3

Midland metro running between B-ham snow hill and Priestfield due to a broken down from at the Royal stop

January 4

At Present the Metro are operating a 5 Tram service due to severe ice on the Overhead line in the Wednesbury area.

One of the new fleet of Spanish-built trams has been temporarily taken out of service to fix a software fault that saw in break down twice.

At the same time engineering work on the tracks is behind schedule meaning the tram still does not go all the way to its Wolverhampton city centre terminus when it is working properly.

Passengers and a rail group have criticised the fare hike that now means a return ticket between Birmingham and Wolverhampton costs £6.

Yesterday a tram broke down again causing delays on the line between Birmingham Snow Hill and The Royal in Wolverhampton.

There were nine incidents of disruption reported by Midland Metro on its Twitter account between December 17 and December 31. The only day the tram was not meant to run was Christmas Day.

One of those nine problems was because of a tram having to wait for an ambulance. But the rest were due to 'technical issues', points failure, traffic signal problems, 'last minute repairs' and 'tram failure'.

Jack Kelly, spokesman for Midland Metro operator National Express said: "We are sorry for the inconvenience caused to our customers during the recent disruption. The Midland Metro is currently undergoing its largest ever engineering project. This major work has been further complicated by the discovery of a mine shaft at The Royal. We are working hard with our partners Centro and local councils to ensure that any disruption is minimised and services return to normal as soon as possible."

Transport authority Centro said three of the faults related to the new trams, with two affecting the same vehicle.

Spokesman Steve Swingler said: "There was a minor software glitch and the issue is being resolved.

"Other issues have been down to weather and ice affecting the power cables or other matters outside of Midland Metro's control, such as on street traffic lights.

"There have been some minor issues but the new fleet is performing well."

The Metro also broke down at The Hawthorns on Boxing Day, the same day as football fans were relying on it to get to and from the Baggies match because trains were not running.

Problems have continued into the new year with a collision on the roads resulting in delays on New Year's Day, a broken down tram on Saturday, ice on the line on Sunday and a broken down tram yesterday.

The new £40 million fleet of 20 trams began to go into service in September, promising a 'smoother and quieter' ride for passengers.

Fare increases on Metro, buses and trains took effect on Friday.

Weekly and monthly passes have gone up with a four-week Metrocard now costing £65.50 – up by £2.

Ian Jenkins from the Campaign for Rail, said: "The price increases are a joke.

"There should have been a fares holiday for passengers after what they have had to put up with."

Commuter Antony Ellis, aged 31 of Bagnalls Wharf, Wednesbury, said: "One of the new trams broke down at The Royal on December 27 and the trams didn't run past Priestfield for almost four days. On my first day back in the office after Christmas, when I expected to get to The Royal, I had to walk into town again for the two mile journey.

"I pay £650 for my pass for a year, and I've not had proper use of it since the end of August. From September to January, I've walked the two miles to the St George's, and the same back each work day, as the replacement buses are very unreliable too."