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Safety and security on the tram

We strive to provide everyone with the safest and most accessible travel possible.

West Midlands Metro, is the region’s expanding tram network, operated by Midland Metro Limited (MML) and we’re taking you places!
Safety always remains the top priority for both our customers and people who are travelling or walking alongside our tramway. That’s why we’ve developed detailed information to keep you safe at all times, and specific guidance for a range of users. It’s quite straight-forward to use our Metro service but please take a few minutes to have a look – that way we’ll be able to ensure everyone can stay safe and enjoy everything that travelling by Metro has to offer.

Traveller guidance

Distractions like mobile phones and headphones can put you at risk so, please, when you’re using the Metro stay alert and keep an eye on where you’re going.

Also remember to stay back from the platform’s edge when standing at a tram stop.

Always use pedestrian crossing points when going across the tracks. Observe tram signs and look both ways before crossing. Remember that, sometimes, one tram can hide another travelling in the opposite direction so take extra care.

Traffic signals and lane signs are placed around the network for your safety and you should always follow their directions.

All of our trams have some seats which are reserved. Please ensure they’re free for the use of less able passengers. Buggies, wheelchairs and mobility scooters should be positioned carefully at designated points.

At all our stops and on all our trams there are help point buttons for use in emergencies. They put you directly in touch with our staff who are there to provide support and advice should you need it. If at a tram stop, stay by the help point and our staff will be able to see you on CCTV.
When travelling on or around the tram network, keep hold of your young children. By following this advice no problems should arise but if you do become separated the important thing is not to panic. Press the help button and our driver on control room staff will help to reunite you again as quickly as possible.

Please don’t try to board or alight from a tram when the door alarm sounds or the overhead lights are flashing. These alarms are there to tell you the doors are closing and, for your safety, you should stand clear of them.

When boarding a tram take your seat or hold on to a handrail as soon as possible. A notification is given when the tram is about to depart and not holding on may cause you to lose your balance. If you are standing, you should keep gripping a handrail during your journey to avoid a possible fall should the tram need to brake sharply.

Please don’t distract the tram driver. If you need information or help on your journey then please ask the customer service representative on board or use the platform passenger assistance help points before you board.

For other highway users, the following tips might be useful…

When travelling on or around the metro, keep hold of your young children. By following this advice no problems should arise but if you do become separated the important thing is not to panic. Press the help button and our driver on control room staff will help to reunite you again as quickly as possible. The driver will sound the horn when necessary to warn of a tram’s approach. Also bear in mind that trams are wider than the tracks so stand well clear of them and keep small children close to you at all times.

If you are a regular cyclist in the West Midlands, you may be aware of how to cycle along tram routes safely. But whether you are new to cycling – or an experienced cyclist around the tramway – there are some important things you’ll need to remember.

Take care and stay clear of the rails.

Avoid cycling on the rails as they can be slippery – especially when wet or icy. If crossing the tracks, always cross at a wide angle – preferably at 90 degrees – to stop your wheels from getting stuck in the rail grooves. Try to avoid sudden movements, such as braking or quickly changing your direction while crossing the tracks. Prepare to cross tracks well in advance and check behind early enough to ensure your manoeuvre is not rushed. Make other road users aware of your intentions, through appropriate hand signals. Please avoid cycling alongside the tracks where it is practical as a tram can’t go around you.

Special cycle paths
Where possible, cyclists can use designated cycle routes and crossing points while crossing the tracks.

Please don’t obstruct the tramway – it sounds obvious but remember we are on fixed rails and can’t get around you. Wherever possible avoid driving directly on the tracks, particularly at speed, because they can become slippery, especially when wet. Please pay attention to highway regulations and remember that trams have different signalling systems to those of cars and other vehicles – even when we are using the same stretch of road.

If you own, occupy a building or other assets near the tramway, please download this leaflet to give to anyone carrying out work on your behalf

West Midlands Metro believes our tram services should be available for everyone to use. We always strive to make our system as accessible as possible and we’ve put a number of improvements in place to try to help. Take a look at some of the points below and if there is something that isn’t covered and you’d like a query answering, do please contact our Customer Services team.

All of our platforms are laid out in the same way. They are well lit and monitored by closed circuit television (CCTV), with direct links via a help point intercom with the control room.

The platform edge is white and has tactile paving to identify the kerb. Special paving showing the wheelchair sign indicates the appropriate place for wheelchair users to wait so that they are near the wheelchair spaces when they get on the tram. All stops are well lit and are monitored by closed circuit television (CCTV). There are direct links via a help point intercom with the control room.
Visually impaired customers that require assistance with using either the stop equipment or the tram should contact our Customer Services team on 0345 835 8181, or email us on customerservices@westmidlandsmetro.com.

We have designated blue badge parking at all our Park & Ride sites with easy access to the tram stop.

Trams are designed with safety and security to the fore. There are direct links via a help point intercom with the control room. CCTV is also being introduced onboard vehicles where a help point on board connects passengers to the driver. Conductors operate on each tram.
Electronic signs and audible announcements show the next stop and final destination.

There are two dedicated spaces on every tram which have a help button and a stop request button at an appropriate height. This is signposted in Braille. There is also ample and comfortable room for guide dogs.

Priority seating for elderly and disabled passengers is clearly marked. If you are using a priority seat and are asked to give up your seat by another customer who is less able to stand, your assistance would be appreciated.
There is easy access and level boarding and spaces for two wheelchairs on every tram to ensure full access for people with mobility difficulties as well as those with pushchairs, buggies and luggage.

Customers are able to travel with a mobility scooter on tram services.
To ensure the safe operation of mobility scooters, a permit scheme is in place. Please note that there are only two disabled priority bays per tram.
Carriage of a mobility scooter is at the discretion of West Midlands Metro staff.


Do I qualify?
Your scooter must meet the following criteria:
Class 2 Mobility Scooter
Maximum 600mm Wide
Maximum 1,000mm Long
Maximum 1,200mm Turning radius


How does it work?
Once you have provided us your details & Scooter model number we will process your application to ensure that your Scooter model is suitable for use on the tram.
If the scooter is suitable we will send you a permit that allows you to use your scooter on the tram. The permit will take the form of a pass that should be presented to the Conductor on board your Tram. The permit will contain basic information about your scooter.

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