Capital trams in profit two years earlier than expected

Edinburgh Trams has announced its first profits two years earlier than forecast.

The city council-owned line recorded a £252,000 pre-tax profit for 2016 compared with an expected loss of £170,000.

It comes two weeks after the route between Edinburgh Airport and York Place in the city centre received a British record 99 per cent satisfaction rating from passenger watchdogs Transport Focus.

But the £776 million scheme opened in 2014 three years late and hugely over budget.

Edinburgh Trams managing director Lea Harrison said: “We’re delighted with these results and they firmly reflect the growing popularity of the tram.

“Over the past year, we’ve seen patronage increase by 10 per cent [to 5.6 million] and revenue rise by 12 per cent.

“These encouraging figures have been driven by our move to increase the frequency of trams combined with our ongoing commitment to exceptional service.”

Lesley Macinnes, the council’s new transport convener, said: “These are fantastic figures,demonstratinghowpopular trams have become.

“It’s especially welcome news so soon after the capital’s trams were nationally recognised for having the highest customer satisfaction rating of any public transport operator in the UK.”