Free trams this Hogmanay to get you home

Edinburgh Trams has announced it will be providing a free service to help customers enjoy the city’s full programme of New Year celebrations, in partnership with the organisers of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay.

The free late night trams will run from midnight on Saturday 31 December until 5am on Sunday 1 January to help make sure thousands of revellers get home safely.

The service will run every 20 minutes between West End Princes Street and Edinburgh Airport, with all trams calling at Ingliston Park and Ride for drivers wishing to make the most of the free parking facilities.

In addition to these extra free services, additional staff will be present at the main stops and on board to help customers travel with us safely.

Lea Harrison, General Manager, said: “Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations are amongst the best in the world and we’re delighted to be working alongside Unique Events who deliver this outstanding programme year after year.

“It’s important to us that everyone who comes to the capital for the bells is able to make the most of their night and that’s why we’ve decided to help by offering this extended free service for the night.”

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, which is produced by Unique Events on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council, are expecting another sell-out three day festival, with 150,000 visitors from over 80 countries visiting the celebrations in Scotland’s capital city last year, bringing an estimated economic benefit of over £40 million to the city (figures based on 2014/15 event).

Al Thomson, Director of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, said: “We’re thrilled to announce a new partnership with Edinburgh Trams, enhancing the city’s incredible free Hogmanay transport services to locals and visitors, giving thousands of revellers the perfect start to 2017 after the world-famous celebrations.”

George Lowder, Chief Executive of Transport for Edinburgh added: “There really is no better place to celebrate the festive period than in Edinburgh and the city’s Hogmanay party is the pinnacle of those New Year celebrations.

“With so many additional visitors coming to the capital we are keen to help both tram and bus passengers travel safely by offering a free late night timetable that means they can make the most of what’s on offer.

“This service will be a great addition to the city’s winter programme and we expect thousands of locals and tourists to make use of the free service making sure everyone’s night ends well.”

Free Hogmanay Tram Services will complete the capital’s free transport offering alongside to the hugely successful Free Hogmanay NightBus Services provided by Lothian Buses and supported by Diageo, which last year helped 18,000 revellers home after the bells.

Councillor Richard Lewis, Edinburgh’s Festivals and Events Champion, said: “Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is the busiest night of the year in the city centre. After helping 75,000 people to see in the bells in spectacular style at our official celebrations, we want to help them get home safely. We are thankful for the support of Edinburgh Trams, Lothian Buses and Diageo who will make sure this happens.”

Although bikes can normally be taken on trams this is not permitted during the festive period due to higher passenger numbers.