Manchester Metrolink

...reliable system. Luckily living in Manchester we have the Metrolink alongside the trains and buses.

What is the Metrolink?

It is Manchester's tram system. Manchester is almost unique in Britain for having such a system. The only other place I know of is Sheffield. (I know Blackpool has them but they are not really working public transport. They are just for the tourists). However it does not look like a tram you would see ...
...the former Altrincham and South Manchester Junction line). There were plans to extend the service south to Wythenshawe and Manchester airport, east to Sports City and Ashton on Lyne and north to Rochdale and Oldham. However these were put on hold as it was claimed there was not enough money, as finance is needed to extend the underground for London's Olympic bid. Hopefully the Metrolink will be extended, as it is a brilliant method of public transport. ... more

Efficient, cheap public transport seems to be a very pressing issue. As a non-driver it is vital I have a reliable system. Luckily living in Manchester we have the Metrolink alongside the trains and buses.

What is the Metrolink?

It is Manchester's tram system. Manchester is almost unique in Britain for having such a system. The only other place I know of is Sheffield. (I know Blackpool has them but they are not really working public transport. They are just for the tourists). However it does not look like a tram you would see at Blackpool or Critch Tram Museum. Instead of looking like a bus, it looks more like an underground train but it goes over ground. The nearest comparison I can make is with the Docklands Light Railway.

Where does it go?

The Metrolink network is not extensive. It does connect all of the city centre railway stations apart from Oxford Road. The tram has three lines outwith the city centre. It goes out to Heaton Park and Bury in the north, down to Old Trafford, Sale and Altrincham in the south and Salford Quays and Eccles in the west. There is also a free connecting shuttle bus to the Trafford Centre from the Stretford stop. Whether it is culture (the Lowry and the Imperial War Museum North), sport (Old Trafford football and cricket grounds), or shopping (he Trafford Centre, Lowry Outlet Mall or the wonderful market at Bury) there is something for everyone along the Metrolink line. The Metrolink was opened in the 1990s and uses in the case of the Bury and Altrincham line old railway lines. (The Altrincham line uses the tracks and stations from the former Altrincham and South Manchester Junction line). There were plans to extend the service south to Wythenshawe and Manchester airport, east to Sports City and Ashton on Lyne and north to Rochdale and Oldham. However these were put on hold as it was claimed there was not enough money, as finance is needed to extend the underground for London's Olympic bid. Hopefully the Metrolink will be extended, as it is a brilliant method of public transport.

How much does it cost?

Some people complain about the price of the Metrolink but I think it is very reasonable especially if you use it off peak after 9.30 in the morning. A return from Stretford to the city centre off peak is only £2. Beforehand it is £2.80. This is much cheaper than the bus. If I am using buses I tend to buy an all day pass for £2.60 or £3.30 depending whether I want to use one or more bus companies. However the Metrolink all day ticket available after 9. 30 is even cheaper as it is only £2.40. I tend to buy this if I am heading down to Altrincham as an off peak return costs more. For those commuting to work there are a range of weekly and monthly passes. A weekly one from Stretford to the city centre is around about £12. (This compares to a £8.50 mega rider so perhaps buses are a better option if you are commuting.) The only time I would use the bus instead of the tram off peak is if I was planning a single journey. Single tickets seem to be a con and are often as little as 10 pence cheaper than the return.

How frequent is the Metrolink?

The frequency between trams is one of the best things about the Metrolink. If running smoothly before 7pm on weekdays the trams are 7 minutes apart. At off peak periods during the evenings, Sundays and bank holidays the trams run 15 minutes apart. This is great. Even when there are delays the time you have to wait is reasonable. I have found only a few times that I have given up on waiting for a tram. This is usually if there are problems with the track. I once had to wait about twenty minutes in a tram in Altrincham station as the computer network that controls the trams was down). If there is a big problem with the tram system they ill lay on buses but I think this has only happened one in the year that I have regularly been using the Metrolink. The trams run just about every day of the year from about 6am to late. I think the last tram leaves the city centre at quarter to midnight on a weekday and about an hour later at the weekend. Unless you are a clubber or a person with very strange shift patterns the Metrolink caters for everyone.

It sounds good, so is it quick

Yes most of the time it is ultra speedy. It only takes about ten minutes to get into the city centre from Stretford. In comparison the bus takes well over twenty minutes depending on the traffic. The only time it goes slowly is in the city centre where you can just about walk faster than the tram but it certainly gathers speed as it leaves the City behind.

This sounds too good to be true. Is it comfortable and clean??

Generally I find the trams are not too dirty. I would say the standard of cleanliness beats buses. Comfort n the tram depends on the time o day you re travelling and also what is happening around the City Centre. Avoid the trams during rush hour and if there are any events on at the football and cricket grounds. I used to commute via the tram and I would not recommend it. I found most mornings I was squashed into an area that a battery hen would feel claustrophobic in, right by the doors and pressed like sardines into the armpit of someone who has never ventured into Boots in their life. If you can get a seat it is pretty comfortable. The seats are similar to standard bus seats. I would try not to get a seat where the tram carriages join, as it can be a bit jerky when the tram turns.

So where can I buy a ticket for the Metrolink?

You can buy single day tickets from vending machines situated on station platforms. These are relatively easy to use and not usually out of order. When buying them I would make sure you had change first as they only give £7 change maximum and they can be funny about notes. They do no take coppers either. You cannot buy the tickets on the trams themselves. The weekly and monthly passes can be bought at selected newsagents, post offices; some railway stations an all GMPTE offices. Remember to buy you ticket and do no think that you can get away without buying one (although I must admit I have gone without a ticket once or twice). Ticket inspectors do spot check and there is a fine if you do not have a ticket.

Is it suitable for disabled people?

GMPTE has provided acess to the stations with ramps and lifst. However i would not say the trams thmselves would be that suitable unless the tram was quiet. There are spacies for wheelchars and pushchairs but as stated during peak periods these would be filed up with commuters standidng.

So would I recommend the Metrolink?

Yes I would. It is quick, reliable, and fairly reasonable. However if you are commuting from not too far away I would use the bus as it is cheaper and usually less crowded.

 

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