The Croydon Tramlink, launched in May 2000, marked the return of trams to London for the first time since 1952. The system was strategically designed to tackle social exclusion by connecting the isolated New Addington housing estate to central Croydon and Wimbledon. Before the Tramlink, residents in these areas faced long and unpredictable bus journeys that restricted access to jobs along the Purley Way corridor.
Today, the network spans 17.4 miles (28 km) and serves 39 stops. It has been highly successful in encouraging a shift away from cars, with roughly 20% of passengers previously choosing to drive. In the year ending March 2025, the system recorded 17.2 million passenger journeys, making it the fourth-busiest light rail network in the UK. Although Transport for London is currently seeking £50 million to replace its aging original fleet, the Tramlink remains a vital piece of green infrastructure that drives the borough’s economic and social connectivity.
