The　propagation　of　transverse　surface　waves　in　a　piezoelectric　layer/metal　substrate　system　with　one　or　multiple　hard　metal　interlayer(s)　is　investigated　analytically.　The　general　dispersion　equations　for　the　existence　of　the　waves　are　obtained　in　a　simple　mathematic　form　for　class　6　mm　piezoelectric　materials.　The　presence　of　a　hard　metal　interlayer　can　not　only　get　rid　of　the　undesired　mode　appearing　in　the　case　without　an　interlayer　but　shorten　the　existence　range　of　the　phase　velocity　within　which　a　nonleaky　but　dispersive　mode　exists.　The　effects　of　the　hard　interlayer　on　the　phase　velocity　can　be　used　to　manipulate　the　behavior　of　the　waves　and　has　implications　in　acoustic　wave　devices.　(C)　2011　Elsevier　B.V.　All　rights　reserved.