Monday April 20th 2026
SNP Conference 2025 (photo by Emily Macinnes)
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Joe Sullivan
SNP will fund a study of a new tram-train route in Edinburgh if they win the upcoming election, according to the party’s manifesto.
The Scottish Government will fund a study of a new tram-train route in Edinburgh if the SNP wins the upcoming election, according to the party’s manifesto.
Interest in the concept has grown in recent years, with the dominant idea being a route running along part of the South Suburban railway, which loops around the south of the city.
The council is already exploring a second tram route, which would connect Granton to the Bioquarter via Princes Street.
A local councillor said a tram-train line could ‘transform’ transport in the city, and that it could possibly link up with the new north-south route being explored.
SNP councillor and candidate for Edinburgh Eastern, Musselburgh and Tranent Kate Campbell continued: “This will be welcome news for people in Niddrie, Craigmillar and Portobello.
“This is a forward-looking commitment by the SNP, investigating the use of tram-trains to enable the reopening of the South Sub and integration with the existing transport network.
“It could potentially link in with an extended tram leg to the south, opening up the city.”
Tram-trains are vehicles that can run both on tram tracks and railways, and are generally used to increase speeds outside of city centres.
Such schemes are popular in Europe, and have had some adoption in the UK, with a service as part of South Yorkshire’s tram network starting in 2018.
Cardiff is set to launch a similar service later this spring, while Manchester is exploring a tram-train route of its own.
Elsewhere in the manifesto, the party pledged to introduce a nationwide £2 bus fare cap, and ‘support efforts’ to turn the closed Powderhall railway line into a walking and cycling route in Edinburgh.
The manifesto commitment comes as the council’s SNP group came out earlier this month in favour of building the southern portion of the city’s new planned tram line before the northern part.
The group cited concerns over both options for the northern leg to Granton presented by council officers – one of which would take over the Roseburn Path, while the other would go over Dean Bridge.
Councillor Euan Hyslop said: “I’ve got real concerns about losing the Roseburn Path – it’s a well-used green space and active travel route that people rely on every day.
“The current proposal, a single tram line with passing points, squeezing in pedestrians and cyclists while removing established tree cover, would be a bad outcome for the tram network, the North Edinburgh Path network, and existing users.
“At the same time, I’m not convinced by the Orchard Brae option either, there are real questions about whether it’s viable. We can’t let flawed options hold up progress.”
He added that ‘better, more workable’ options had to be brought forward for linking the city centre to Granton.
The party manifesto said the new tram line should not use the Roseburn Path for its northern leg, but only specified that an ‘alternative route’ should be found.
A Scottish Parliament election will be held on Thursday, May 7 for all constituency and list region seats.
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