NOTTINGHAM'S tram system has lost more than a quarter of its passengers in the last five years, new figures have revealed.
Only 7.4 million passengers used the system last year, a 27 per cent drop from a peak of 10.2 million passengers a year in 2007-08.
Colin Raynor, of Gotham, said the figures could cause problems for the future of the tram.
He said: "This grim but unsurprising news has serious implications for the economic viability of the two tram extensions under construction.
"Highly optimistic assumptions were made about anticipated fares including subsidised pensioner journeys, an ever-increasing student population and large numbers of the public switching from car and bus to the tram."
And David Thornhill, from the Notts Campaign for Better Transport, said: "Tickets need to be joined up and to be at an affordable price. The loss of he Easyrider tickets has hit the tram hard."
Other figures released by the Department for Transport showed that the number of people on the average tram dropped from 36 in 2011-12 to 29 in 2012-13.
Phil Hewitt, chief executive of Tramlink Nottingham, said the figures were "disappointing".
He added: "They are broadly in line with what might have been expected year on year as a result of Easyrider, Cityrider and Grouprider tickets no longer being valid on trams.
"Tightening competition rules meant that whoever took over the operation of the network at the end of 2011, this type of ticket was going to be withdrawn from the tram.
"It has also been a period in which economic conditions have continued to remain difficult, which has meant fewer people travelling on the tram both to work and to visit retail outlets."
Mr Hewitt added that the £590 million extensions of the tram to Clifton and Beeston will bring benefits.
He said: "The expanded network currently under construction will make a significant difference to the tram's popularity – not only are we adding two major new lines through large parts of the Greater Nottingham conurbation, but also there will be seamless travel for people into and across the city to various locations such as the University of Nottingham and the QMC.
"It will be a real step change in the tram's service pattern and there will be other major improvements which will benefit customers."
