Edinburgh tram passengers top the 60,000 mark

Edinburgh trams took on 60,000 passengers in their first three days. Picture: TSPL

EDINBURGH’s tram system carried nearly 60,000 passengers in its first three days of operation, Transport for Edinburgh said today.

A total of 18,000 people rode the rails yesterday, following 15,000 on Sunday, the city council-controlled body said.

Figures for Saturday - when the Edinburgh Airport-York Place route opened - have been revised from 21,000 to 25,000.

However, the body, which also runs Lothian Buses, said a breakdown of the figures to show how many passengers had used their bus season tickets or free travel passes rather than buying tram tickets would not be available until next April or May.

Edinburgh Trams director and general manager Tom Norris said: “We’re delighted with these early figures and it’s very pleasing to see people using trams as part of their daily commute or routine.

“Welcoming 40,000 over launch weekend was fantastic but to see nearly 18,000 on a Monday was even more encouraging.

“It’s still early days and we’ll see fluctuations I’m sure. Our focus at this early stage remains on providing a quality service, ironing out any teething issues and laying the foundations of a solid, dependable service that becomes part of daily life.”