Edinburgh trams: Staff keep public off test trams

Staff will sit in on the 'ghost' runs to prevent the public from attempting to get on the trams. Picture: Ian Rutherford

Extra staff will have to sit in on test runs to ensure members of the Edinburgh public do not attempt to board the vehicles, The Scotsman has learned.

Trams will stop at each of the 16 stations and open their doors to ensure the mechanisms are working correctly when dummy runs get under way in September.

It is understood that staff placed in each carriage will remind would-be travellers that the route is not yet up and running.

Joanna Mowat, a city centre councillor, said: “This issue was thrown up at the Light Rail Conference in Manchester, and I admit was news to most of us.

“However, I’ve long been an advocate having something on the tram saying “I’m being tested for safety but I’ll be up and running soon”, just to avoid any confusion.”

Tram chiefs are said to be considering carrying out testing at night and at other off-peak times to prevent confusion on the roads.

As The Scotsman revealed this week, traders have also been told that the line could be up and running by Christmas - up to seven months ahead of the official summer 2014 launch date.

Lesley Hinds, the city’s transport leader, has insisted that the launch will not be announced until September.

Meanwhile, more than 600 candidates have applied for the 32 tram driver posts, with salaries listed as between £20,000 and £24,000.

Successful candidates will have to pass a personality test to prove they have a good work attitude and are polite and respectful to passengers.

Read more on the Edinburgh Trams

• Empty carriages in midnight tests

• Line may be open for Christmas

• Critics brace for U-turn