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Midland MetroThe Midland Metro is a light-rail tram system in the West Midlands of England. It presently runs between the cities of Birmingham and Wolverhampton via West Bromwich and Wednesbury. Line One, the 20.2km Birmingham to Wolverhampton route, was opened in 1999, and runs mostly along the trackbed of the former Great Western Railway line between the two cities (which was disused for many years). At the southern end, the present terminus is Birmingham Snow Hill station in Birmingham city centre. At the northern end, trams move off the former railway trackbed to run along streets to a terminus at St. George's in Wolverhampton city centre. So far the Midland Metro has carried about five million passengers annually - about one third of the original estimate - and has made substantial losses. Future Extensions Despite this, expansion is planned, including in the near future, an on-street extension through Birmingham city centre running close to Birmingham New Street Station then to Five Ways, and a branch from Wednesbury to the Merry Hill shopping mall at Brierley Hill. Recently, there has been talk of running the tram lines through Birmingham city centre in underground tunnels, rather than through the streets. Further into the future, Phase Two extensions are proposed, to link Birmingham city centre to Birmingham International Airport. Another line is planned to connect Wolverhampton to Dudley, Wednesfield, Willenhall (connecting with Line One), and Walsall. The section of the Midland Metro between Wednesbury and Brierley Hill (via Dudley) is expected to be opened in 2008, while the line heading eastwards from Birmingham will probably open in 2010. See also External Links
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