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Edinburgh and the City Region is projected to grow three-times as fast as the rest of Scotland and is one of the fastest growing regions in the UK. We also welcome many visitors and tourists, which contributes to the need for efficient transport networks. We need to continually improve our public transport offer in the city as it is a much more efficient way to move people around than private vehicles. Maximising the number of people using public transport, and mass transit in particular (large-scale public transport system operating on a defined route, such as trams or bus rapid transit), frees up valuable road space for buses, taxis, those who rely on vehicles for personal and business reasons, and the movement of goods.

Transport overall is a major source of carbon emissions which contributes to climate change, and private vehicles within this is one of the largest contributors.  According to the Department of Transport, 80% of vehicle mileage in Edinburgh comes from private vehicles and taxis. The city’s City Mobility Plan targets a 30% reduction in car kilometres, contributing to the wider net zero city goal by 2030.

Tram, as part of wider regional improvements to public transport, is key to achieving these targets and is an important enabler to future development and economic growth. A north – south tram route will connect major housing and employment zones in the city - Granton, Western General Hospital, the BioQuarter and Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh area, and Shawfair - with Edinburgh Airport, Edinburgh Park and the city centre.  As an example of the likely demand for travel along the route, the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and Eye Pavillion at Little France is forecast to treat over 200,000 patients each year while at the Western General there were over 40,000 operations and 20,000 minor injury patients were treated last year. SEStran, the Regional Transport Partnership for South-East Scotland, estimate that between 18-20 million visits are made to hospitals or other healthcare services each year in the city region.

Improved transport links enables development to build out more quickly and at higher densities. This is why a north – south tram route is safeguarded as part of the Local Development Plan 2030 (LDP 2030) and forms part of the Scottish Governments National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4). Indeed, Granton Waterfront has been built on the assumption a tram connection will be provided to support a low-car and sustainable development area.

Download and read the Economic Rationale for the tram (PDF). 

Feedback from the City Mobility Plan consultation showed that 65% of respondents wanted to see the expansion of the tram network and 83% wanted general improvements made to public transport in the city.

Download and read the Background and Decision Context Technical Note (PDF). 

Download and read the Strategic Rationale Technical Note (PDF). 

The current tram network carries over 12 million passengers a year and closely cooperates with Lothian and other bus operators to provide award-winning public transport across the city. As part of the recent City Mobility Plan consultation 65% of people want to see an expansion of the tram network and 83% want to see a general improvement to public transport in the city. Tram and bus, integrated with rail, all have key roles to play in the future transport provision for the city and the region and the creation of a north-south route would help develop a more comprehensive tram network in the city and into the region.

Why we won't just deploy more buses

 have shown that tram is the best solution for this route supported by further bus priority and bus rapid transit schemes.

Tram delivers  high capacity public transport with frequent and reliable journey times.  Lothian Buses will continue to play a crucial role in the delivery of public transport provision in the city, integrating more closely with Edinburgh Trams. At both a national and regional level, the expansion of trams in Edinburgh has been identified as an investment priority.

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