Midland Metro reveals £34 MILLION losses since launch

Operators National Express had hoped that eight million people across the region would use the trams each year.

But currently around five million are actually doing so, accounts reveal.

Bosses said they had expected greater income from fares for short journeys but instead people were making longer trips using the service.

A new section of line between Bull Street and Stephenson Street is due to be up and running over the weekend having already faced three delays.

Responding to the losses news, Pat Archer, who has used the metro to travel to work every day since 2009, said it was "generally" a good service but said it has several drawbacks.

She said: "I get on the tram at Wednesbury Parkway at 8.08am. The one before is always rammed so we wait for the 8.08am service so we can get a seat but that gets totally full too.

"Between 7.30am and 8.30am it is absolutely rammed. Coming home it is absolutely rammed as well.

"So it does get busy, but in many ways it is the victim of that success at peak times.

"For example, at the weekend, even though I have a pass if I was going into Birmingham with my husband I would drive in as it is more than £5 for a return ticket.

"Why would I pay that when I can park at Snow Hill and pay £3.50 for five hours parking?"

Mrs Archer said there were also problems with parking which could be deterring users at non-peak times.

She added: "If I was lucky enough to be retired I would also struggle to use the tram during the week at off-peak times.

"The problem then would be not being able to park. The parking facilities are inadequate at many of the stops."

Ali Bell, head of external communications at National Express, said: "National Express operates about four fifths of the buses in the West Midlands. We see the Midland Metro tram as an important part of growing our network.

"For example, 40 percent of Midland Metro passengers use tickets that are also valid on the buses. And once the line to Grand Central opens this weekend, we predict that takings will go up."

A £15 million new line in Wolverhampton will run along Piper's Row and Railway Drive linking the existing Wolverhampton St George's stop with the railway station.

Preparatory works could take up to a year and are expected to cause disruption on city centre roads.

Tram stops are proposed either side of Piper's Row near Castle Street and Centro bosses say the line could eventually be extended further towards New Cross Hospital.