Anyone Tried the Edinburgh Trams?

[greido]

I've been opposed to the trams since the inception due to the fact that all that was really was required was a rail link from the airport into the centre. After it's scope was halved and cost doubled it became an absolute farce.
I've been away all week and arrived into Edinburgh airport tonight and needed to get into the city; since we're now stuck with the trams and out of fairness I thought I should give them a go.
I'll be completely honest, it was one of the most tedious experiences of my life; it took half an hour to get from the airport to Haymarket as it seemed to be stopped for longer than it was running due to the number of stops that no-one got on or off. It would have taken the airport express bus around half this time and cost less. I dunno if I'm being stupid but I felt pretty angry that my hard earned cash had funded this; including interest it will have cost just under £200 per person living in Scotland, or just under £2000 per person living in Edinburgh to create this unnecessary system.
As I mentioned, I've been away all week so I have no idea what peoples perception of the trams are so I'd be interested to find out if anyone else has tried them and what they thought?
Personally speaking I had two journeys in one tonight, my first and my last.

[Mr Momo]

Are the trams funded centrally or via Edinburgh rates/taxes only ? I love trams, but hate public sector crap project management.

I've just ordered Ed Merrow's "Industrial Megaprojects" book to get some more insights

[j2 lot]

They were funded by Edinburgh Council and Scottish Govt, cost more than twice as much but scope halved and we still have a £200m loan to pay back over 30 years

[robin]

I love the tram ... I can get from my office (York Place) to Murray Motors (Bankhead), or the reverse if dropping car off; this was pretty much the only thing I ever used local public transport for and now it's easier

I agree that it's slow - I do think the drivers are being a bit over cautious - nobody wants to be the first one to take the tram into the gravel trap - but I am sure they'll speed up as they get the hang of the corners

And it is quicker than the 22 bus doing the same journey, by about 10 minutes. Well worth £1 trillion

Cheers,
Robin

[j2 lot]

Thats pretty much the only time I use public transport too. Drop the car at MMC & get the train back to Airdrie where Ann picks me up & maybe a couple of times a year I get the airport express from my parking in Glasgow to the airport.

I long for the day when public transport is so efficient that everyone uses it ..... and the roads are empty for enthusiasts to use

[Ferg]

Griedo your point about the airport connection is valid. While I'm not up-to-date on the why nots, the perfect situation and the ultimate impression of a modern city would have been to walk out the airport straight onto a tram. I do hope that the reason not is something other than budget. Waiting on a bus to go a to a tram thats less effective seems significantly under thought.

However, what it brings to the rest of the city is pretty good. Significantly fresher looking infrastructure in the city and that 22 was not a nice journey.

[tut]

Is the tram free for OAP's as per the busses?

tut

[ed]

Only Edinburgh OAPs get FOC on the trams as a deal with other councils could not be agreed.

Ps had the miss fortune of the trams on day one, packed and no a/c.

[MisterK]

I used the tram for the first time yesterday following a visit to MMC, and couldn't fault the service. From Bankhead to St. Andrews Square didn't seem to take too long and although it stops at every stop regardless of need,I'm sure the bus would stop more - and there's no risk of a 5min delay for driver changeover at Saughton! And judging by how much traffic we passed around Haymarket, I can't believe the bus would have been quicker in the middle of a Friday afternoon.
It's an attractive option for irregular travellers to Edinburgh like me who can never remember the right bus number and where on Princes Street it stops!
There aren't many seats (due to luggage capacity) but you sort of expect to have to stand on a tram and it links in well with the new look Haymarket station. I expect access to Murrayfield will serve the venue well and the fact that ticket prices match the buses is good too.
So my first journey won't be my last!

[campbell]

We were on it today. Kids loved it. Expensive thrill ride running parallel to the railway. Will help me with airport transfers from home west of Edinburgh but that's about it.

Where is the Business Case?

[robin]

the perfect situation and the ultimate impression of a modern city would have been to walk out the airport straight onto a tram. I do hope that the reason not is something other than budget. Waiting on a bus to go a to a tram thats less effective seems significantly under thought.

Not sure what you mean? The tram goes to the airport. No need to get a bus at airport end.

[Ferg]

My mistake, I was under the impression there was a bus transfer from the terminal to the first stop.

[campbell]

I might try the airport transfer week after next. But might alight at Gogar Park n Ride and walk the rest. A £3.50 premium for the privilege of being delivered to the terminal door is extortion. Just like EDI parking mind you.

[Ferg]

Take a bus!!

Feck knows where I got that nugget from....

[campbell]

20 min walk tops, however I'm on a red-eye so no trains early enough to get me to Edin Park to connect with a tram. Car and ripoff parking fees it is, then...