How do Brummies feel about the West Midlands Metro expansion?

This year marks an exciting milestone with the anticipated completion of the West Midlands Metro expansion, extending the tram line to Dudley.

As the project progresses, it aims to revolutionally transform public transit by extending services further into key destinations such as Digbeth, Solihull, as well as providing convenient connections to the airport and the High-Speed 2 (HS2) rail network.

Today (January 10), I went to Birmingham City Centre to gather insight on this development from the people there, about a project which promises to redefine our region’s transportation landscape.

Speaking to BirminghamWorld, Udie said: “I've actually used the trams myself, the Metro itself, for about three years when I was commuting into Birmingham. I think it's fantastic. I think it opens up more opportunities and avenues for people to commute to work and make themselves more available to work.

"And in effect, it actually expands opportunities for people who are looking to grow themselves. I think it's fantastic for the area as well. I think it feeds into the economy and it allows people to socially move up as well.”

Josh says: “I do support the use of the Metro. I've used it sparingly, predominantly that I tend to use a bus or train to sort of get around Birmingham. However, I think for going to the airport and further, it's really useful because it gives you that extra option if you need it, especially with train strikes and bus strikes over the last year.

"We know how difficult that's been. If you've got that extra option there to be able to use, I think it's really useful. I think the prices are quite reasonable for what it is as well. So it's always a good alternative to have if you need to use it. I would like to see them expanding to other areas, so maybe like King's Heath, places like that, Selly Oak, just to further give you options for travel, for work, commuting and leisure.“

Simon said: “I think generally it is a good idea. I'm not sure how much I'd use it because when I come into Birmingham, it tends to just be around the city centre, so I'd walk, but certainly out towards, if you go out particularly towards the football grounds more, I think it would be useful, yeah.”

Emma added: “So I've used it a couple of times. I think the issue for me is I’m located within central Birmingham so most things are in walking distance. That being said, having an extra transport route out to the airport and areas like that would be fantastic, because at the moment it's just the train or the car really. You can't walk there or cycle there, at least as far as I know. So having another transport mode would be fantastic."

James said: “The more the better really. The more trains we've got, the better. It'd be really useful to get from, you know, Brierely Hill to Birmingham, you know, being fairly local to the area myself. Yeah, I'm all for it."

Raymond added: “Yes, I do. Anything that stops people using the cars, they can use the tram, trains, buses, I would recommend all of them, but they need to be improved. It all needs to be improved. The tram, I believe, had plans for it to go through to Merry Hill at one time, and that'll help even more. But, you know, when it all happens, it does need to be improved a great deal, and it needs security on it as well, I think, you know, so people can feel safe when they're travelling.”