Tramlink
London Trams, previously Tramlink and Croydon Tramlink, is a light rail tram system serving Croydon and surrounding areas in South London, England. It began operation in 2000, the first tram system in the London region since 1952. It is managed by London Trams, a public body part of Transport for London (TfL), and has been operated by FirstGroup since 2017. Tramlink is one of two light rail networks in Greater London, the other being the Docklands Light Railway.
| London Trams | |
|---|---|
Variobahn and CR4000 trams at Sandilands tram stop | |
| Overview | |
| Owner | Transport for London |
| Area served | |
| Locale | South London |
| Transit type | Light rail using trams |
| Number of stations | 39 |
| Annual ridership | 20.9 million (2022–23) 9.4% |
| Website | www |
| Operation | |
| Began operation | 10 May 2000 |
| Operator(s) | FirstGroup |
| Number of vehicles | |
| Technical | |
| System length | 28 km (17 mi) |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
| Electrification | Overhead line, 750 V DC |
| Top speed | 80 km/h (50 mph) |
The network consists of 39 stops along 28 km (17 mi) of track, on a mixture of street track shared with other traffic, dedicated track in public roads, and off-street track consisting of new rights-of-way, former railway lines, and one right-of-way where the Tramlink track runs parallel to a third rail-electrified Network Rail line.
The network's lines coincide in central Croydon, with eastern termini at Beckenham Junction, Elmers End and New Addington, and a western terminus at Wimbledon, where there is an interchange for London Underground. Tramlink is the fourth-busiest light rail network in the UK behind the Docklands Light Railway, Manchester Metrolink and Tyne and Wear Metro.