Tram passengers set to break 3 million mark

THE number of passengers travelling on board Edinburgh’s tram line is set to smash the 3 million mark before the end of the year, it has emerged.
The trams are set to reach the 3 million passengers mark. Picture: Ian GeorgesonThe trams are set to reach the 3 million passengers mark. Picture: Ian Georgeson
The trams are set to reach the 3 million passengers mark. Picture: Ian Georgeson

It means the network – which launched on May 31 – is far outpacing by a quarter early projections that it would carry 4.5m passengers in year one – creating income of £7.9m.

And new figures also reveal that 3m more journeys were taken on Lothian Buses this year despite fears the tram line would plunder passengers from its more established rival.

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But with bosses so far refusing to reveal how many passengers are concessionary fares – such as pensioners who travel free – question marks hang over how much cash the network is generating.

In August, the News revealed how the city is forking out nearly £16,000 a day to cover interest fees on the loan deals signed to deliver the tram project. It means the Capital is being saddled with a £5.8m annual bill to pay off the interest on borrowing for the £776m network before making any dent reimbursing actual loans.

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