edinburgh scotland operated kilometre line york place edinburgh airport stops construction began june encountering delays opened scheme initial estimated cost million contracts signed cost risen million final cost delays million history ran november date public transport consisted buses limited network commuter rail lines end 20th century revived interest networks introduced birmingham manchester nottingham sheffield proposals network 1990s plan build line princes street proposed proposals edinburgh network proposal envisaged routes lines circular route northern suburbs radial routes west south lines passed city centre year operating contract awarded operate maintain network contract cancelled bills network passed march lines received parliamentary permission funding entire network deemed impossible line paid proposed edinburgh congestion charge scrapped charge heavily defeated referendum construction remaining lines split phases phase kilometre edinburgh airport princes street combining parts lines phase kilometre comprising remainder line phase linking square completing line loop phase extending airport line completing line future scheme came threat published manifesto scottish parliamentary election party clear intention cancel scheme save following lost vote led minority agreed continue line airport condition public money supplied report commissioned confirmed cost projections sound cost scheme estimated million million funding million october council approved final business case approval given december tie sign contracts supply vehicles consortium design construct network contract negotiations finished april construction started june stage cost project estimated million funding problems political disputes led scaling original plans april council cancelled phase citing revenue created economic save estimated million extension cancelled construction august project overseen tie company wholly owned responsible project managing construction draft business case accepted march initial construction work commenced july diversion underground utilities preparation track laying works followed plan joint design team led final contracts build system awarded consortium spanish builder uses mix street running segregated road track conventional stop platforms stops fitted shelters ticket machines lighting network operated depot close roundabout north centre stop route line required construction bridges cross railway lines edinburgh park tunnel near roundabout bridge widened works build interchange station involved demolition category listed building street track laid special foundation road designed sympathetic style edinburgh streets removed places objections powered overhead cables attached purpose built poles mounted sides buildings electrical sub stations planned line underground ground built line truncated york place project revisions delays project met delays work infrastructure phase project cancelled funding april contractual disputes delayed track laying city centre december media reported project budget running million system unlikely come operation february later operating contract cancelled december reduce costs announced operated subsidiary march announced estimated completion date contractual disputes february work princes street section stopped contractual disagreements tie submitted request additional million funding believed contractors claims agreed fixed price contracts negotiations agreed commence construction march original budget disagreements remained work restarted line construction went ahead august tie began legal proceedings consortium delays project track laying place suspended issue alleged changes work specification including track works princes street million additional costs foundation work near stadium consortium alleged tie diverted underground utilities time track laying begin contractual agreements costing consortium additional expenditure january independent found favour tie points disputed issues ruled favour awarded consortium additional costs estimated delays track laying depot construction affected vehicle testing september construction reported months schedule deliver factory spain key project tie held discussions transport london delivering conduct operational tests network vehicle testing commenced march test track germany tests included steep weights simulate heavy passenger load expected match day funding crisis following disputes delays reported march considering contract june project cost risen million council project managers reported crisis talks considering options including borrowing million fund increased costs introduction line initially run airport terminating contract council asked tie draw costs line places station foot work resumed priority locations project future decided council august announced tie disbanded manage project june voted continue line edinburgh airport andrew square costs rose estimated leaving council option scrap project considered rejected august council voted cut line run airport reducing expected cost week later scottish government threatened million funding council reversed decision restoring terminus andrew square november announced eastern terminus york place instead andrew square intention build tracks reversing point york place stop passengers extending passenger services andrew square york place enable place surrounding area better served comparatively little additional cost electric wires october depot testing began december near depot metres length track december contractors handed depot completed section line depot edinburgh airport test speed december extra interest payments cost line expected exceed billion criticism delays construction criticised businesses claimed income damaged long term road centre city residents cycling groups voiced safety concerns suffered accidents bicycle wheels caught track reported road surface tracks raising safety problems response tie promised carry repairs agreed fund special training safety concerns raised residents routes suspension overhead electric cables residential buildings property owners refused permission cables attached remedy tracks princes street road closed september remained closed months road closure place march led complaints businesses residents remained closed october completion late work continued schedule metres flawed concrete replaced june overhead electric wires installed city centre portion route considered major step construction process controversy erupted travel elderly disabled originally planned travel ability scottish national card travel public transport free charge going offered despite fact run mandated offer free travel concession cards bus routes revelation quickly caused city leaders support campaign ensure travel offered new city transport stated people edinburgh paid council tax taxes running wrong large proportion population allowed use bus pass despite scottish government refused pay travel scheme bus routes scotland talks eventually decided concession cards valid travel paid council instead government revealed august cards valid travel paid people cards issued edinburgh able use compromise upset people travel edinburgh works scheme running months ahead schedule september announced open road works completed october testing depot commencing october followed wires stop november marking time route completely testing length route began december opened passengers post completion non statutory public inquiry delivery project announced june subsequently upgraded november statutory inquiry ensure key personnel provide evidence stated march works conducted prepare possible future extension service december ordered detailed business case extending line council said july options extension million extension million extension million extension november council received backing extend line originally intended rolling stock million contract build sufficient phase lines awarded line cut needed unsuccessful attempt lease transport london use directional metres long low floor access meet rail vehicle access regulations disabled people capacity allowing seated standing passengers size constructed displayed princes street public viewing moving constitution street foot april april delivered displayed princes street stop mound moved open storage 27th delivered december painted white rose platinum stripes mandated shared minor variation operations route kilometre route begins running street york place city centre turns crosses square heads southeast princes street west street place route heads segregated track parallel glasgow edinburgh mainline follows railway line west kilometres railway station leaves railway line segregated track heads north heads northwest park terminates additional stop planned open december area centre stops stop called built alongside new railway station form transport interchange circle fare structure integrated single fare day tickets valid buses single journey stops exception edinburgh airport costs adults children travel including edinburgh airport stop single fare open return ticket available season ticket issued valid available week weeks annually september pre paid single journeys buses called introduced free travel available holders issued eligible travel companion travelling companion passengers eligible travel issued local authorities offered fare concession exception blind visually impaired onboard fare charged passengers pre purchased ticket national card ticket boarding ticket machines request installation ticket machines key bus stops began passengers purchase tickets boarding bus reducing times popular users scrapped consideration given installing similar street ticket machines new advanced machines capable reading accepting credit cards installed early stop new ticket machines plus type supplied french based company board june allowed board trial period supported cycle campaign groups pedal parliament following edinburgh light rail network permit carriage permanent basis allowed peak hours excluding festival period august large events ticket recruited prevent fare aiming fare rate lower britain thirty drivers employed passing psychological tests designed eliminate risk journey times frequency services operate midnight minute intervals monday saturday minute intervals sundays journey times approximately minutes city centre airport morning evening services commence terminate centre financial performance lost expected higher predicted passenger numbers
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