Tram reaches 50 million passengers
A COUPLE from Woodborough yesterday won 50 days of free tram travel as part of celebrations to mark 50 million passengers on Nottingham's tram system.
A delighted Michael and Frances Batt were picked at random for the prize – on the day NET Line One reached the milestone.
They were also presented with a bottle of champagne by Coun Jane Urquhart, Nottingham City Council's portfolio holder for transport, as they stepped off the tram to go shopping in the city centre.
Mr Batt, 73, said: "Fifty million in five years is incredible. We probably use the tram about once a week to go shopping but we will use it a lot more now with these tickets."
Mrs Batt, 74, said: "It is marvellous. They are easy to ride and get on and off. I also find people are more friendly on the tram.
"I can't imagine Nottingham without one now. As soon as you talk to someone about Nottingham they say that's where they've got the tram."
City pensioners get free off-peak tram travel in Nottingham as part of the national concessionary pass scheme.
However, as Mr and Mrs Batt live outside the city boundaries they do not qualify for this.
Coun Urquhart said NET Line One had exceeded expectations and reached 50 million quicker than expected.
She plans to speak to Notts County Council – now controlled by the Conservatives – about plans to withdraw its funding commitments for an extension of the network to Clifton via Wilford and Chilwell via Beeston.
"County council leader Kay Cutts has said they are not willing to put in that money.
"That is particularly disappointing because we can see huge benefits for the city and county," said Coun Urquhart.
"We in the city know it is right. Legally we can go ahead without the county council.
"We will be looking at all the options to take it forward."
9 Comments
by Richard, Chilwell
Friday, June 12 2009, 8:42AM
“N4Nottm, perhaps you should calculate the efficiency of the road outside your house. Compare how many vehicles use it compared with the theoretical maximum capacity over a 24 hour period.
Doesn't mean either the road or the tram aren't needed though.”
by N4Nottm, Chilwell
Wednesday, June 10 2009, 7:10AM
“50,000,000 passengers. Note this time their using passengers as opposed to journeys or passenger journeys. This figure is probably an over-estimate anyway due to many factors that stop them getting accurate figures. Anyway, if you work out the number of trams that run per day and multiply that by the number of seats ( and stands - 191), then factor in the fact that a passenger journey could be getting on at the station and getting of in Market Sq. or only one stop even, then this fugure is not very impressive. The last time I did the calculation it came to something like 10% efficiency i.e. each tram carries on average 20 people. Big WOW!!! No wonder is doesn't make money. Lets have some meaningful figures of NET!”
by Jan, Nottingham
Tuesday, June 09 2009, 4:19PM
“50 million is a heck of a lot of passangers whichever way you look at it.”
by pragmatist, nottingham
Tuesday, June 09 2009, 3:02PM
“Once again the powers that be start to pull out numbers which mean absolutely nothing. It doesn't say whether they are running at an overall profit because the answer given wouldn't suit their needs, it doesn't say if it has reduced traffic congestion because that answer wouldn't suit their needs either. Truthfull facts are what we would like to hear not random numbers designed to promote the ideal of the proposed tram lines.”
by Mr. Sensible, Bramcote
Tuesday, June 09 2009, 2:45PM
“Yes, what a success story. This just shows how mad the Tories would be to pull the plug.
Only doing that because then there would be no space left for a Duck Island!”
by Arthur S, Nottingham
Tuesday, June 09 2009, 2:30PM
“This is timely. Just as moves are being made to stop the tramline extension we find it's exceeding all expectations. Any way of checking these figures?”
by Tony, Notts
Tuesday, June 09 2009, 1:20PM
“Congratulations to all the people involved. The tram really has been a success story in Nottingham.
I use the tram on the odd occasion and always find the conductors and other passangers to be a pleasure to be in the company of.”
by mugwi fglamp, sherwood
Tuesday, June 09 2009, 12:56PM
“'"We in the city know it is right. Legally we can go ahead without the county council.'
Yeah thats about right from nulabour, nuff said.”
by THE TERRIER, Hucknall
Tuesday, June 09 2009, 12:40PM
“Am I just being cynical, or was it a deliberate act that free tram tickets were handed out to a couple who travel free as OAPs anyway? Its about time NET changed their age descriminatory policy by allowing over 60s (who WANT to pay for their rush hour ticket) who have to continue in work to pay their bills by allowing a HALF PRICE RETURN TICKET instead of making them pay for a half price single ticket. Most over 60s who travel in the morning rushhour also have to travel again in the evening, and so have to pay for another ticket to return home. NET, you are operating an AGE DISCRIMINATION POLICY.”