Metrolink Sign at Prestwich Station

Drawing into the station at
Besses o' th' Barn

Crossing Shudehill into High Street

Climbing up Balloon Street

Trams passing on the corner of Aytoun Street & Portland Street

Pulling away from the platform at Victoria Station

Tram stop outside the Central Reference Library in St Peters Square

Metrolink Rapid Transit System

Metrolink was Manchester's revolutionary new transport system, which has become the model for many other similar schemes throughout the UK (Wolverhampton and Sheffield, for example) and the world.
It is a tram, in that it runs on the streets of Manchester, but it's also a train, which joins the conventional rail line at Victoria Station to become a smart fast commuter system. It acts as a vital link between Piccadilly and Victoria Stations, which hitherto had no connection, and travellers had to make the inconvenient trip across town, by foot, bus or taxi. Its latest extension also links with the line to Altrincham at the G-Mex Centre and Castlefield.
It has already caused about 10% of commuter motorists to swap their cars for the ease, comfort and speed of this super efficient, environmentally-friendly transport system. Tickets are by automated machine, but tickets are frequently inspected, and this trust system seems to work. It now makes sense to park out of town and ride in by tram.
The original line ran from Bury to Altrincham and was opened in the mid-1990s, and has been subsequently extended to Salford Quays and Eccles; still in the planning stage and in feasibility study is a proposal to extend a line to the Trafford Retail Park at Dumplington, and to Manchester Airport.

Metrolink Service & Frequency

The train/trams run from 6.00am to 11.30pm from Monday to Thursday, and later until half an hour past midnight from Friday to Sunday evenings. Trams run at an increased frequency of every six minutes from 7.15am until 6.30pm on weekdays and Saturdays, and from 10.00am until 5.00pm at 12 minute intervals on Sundays. Every other tram goes directly to Piccadilly Mainline Rail Station, except on Sundays when all trams go via Piccadilly.

Other Transport Connections to Metrolink

Buses: Metrolink trams stops connect directly with bus and coach interchanges at: Bury, Whitefield, Victoria, Piccadilly, Altrincham and Eccles. A shuttle bus is available at Stretford Station for a direct link to the Trafford Centre.
Rail Stations: Metrolink trams have interchanges with mainline rail stations at: Bury, Victoria, Piccadilly, G-Mex and Altrincham.
Onsite Parking: Available at or adjacent to the following Metrolink stations: Bury, Radcliffe, Prestwich, Heaton Park, Stretford, Sale, Brooklands and Navigation Road.

Metrolink Passenger Enquiries

Address: Metrolink House,
Queens Road, Manchester M8 0RY.
Tel: 0161-205 2000. Fax: 0161-205 8699
Website: www.metrolink.co.uk

Byelaws & Conditions

Metrolink operates on an honour system. There are no ticket collectors at stations or on board trams, but Inspectors frequently board at random and there are hefty fines for anyone travelling without a valid ticket.
No eating, drinking or smoking allowed on any trams of at stations en route.
No bicycles allowed on trams.
No dogs allowed except guide dogs for the blind and hearing dogs.

Accessibility & Security

All trams are fully accessible to wheelchair users from every platform and station. Special reserved places are available on board for wheelchairs and for mothers with prams. All trams and station platforms have CCTV and stations and carriages are constantly monitored by Metrolink central control on a 24 hour basis.

Tickets & Pricing

As an example of costs, a journey on Metrolink from Bury to Manchester Piccadilly would cost:
Single = about £3.00 for an adult with concessions for children and OAPs. Cheap off peak tickets available, as well as weekly, monthly and annual saver tickets.
Peak Time Return (ie. before 9.30am) = £4.50
Off Peak Return (after 9.30am) = £3.00....BUT...prices are liable to change - please check in advance.
Ticket dispensing machines are available at all train stops and accept the following coins : 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2. Notes are not accepted. Change is given from all machines.
Various discounted and concessionary tickets are available - enquire directly from Metrolink about Season Tickets, Reduced Fare and Free Travel, Integrated Tickets (with other rail and bus services), and Group Tickets.

Planned Developments

Phase 3 is a proposal to extend the Metrolink network to even more outlying boroughs and districts including:

• Oldham/Rochdale line
• Airport (via Wythenshawe loop) line
• Ashton-under-Lyne line
• Stockport line via East Didsbury (Option - not yet definite)
• Trafford Centre line (Option - not yet definite).

The following is the proposed schedule for completion of the various stages of the plan:

• Spring 2002:
  The 4 bidding consortia will be shortlisted to 2, after which a preferred bidder will be selected and awarded the Contract.
• Autumn 2002:
  Finalisation of details and awarding of the Contract to preferred bidder(s). This will also include responsibility for the existing Metrolink lines between Bury and Altrincham and between Manchester and Eccles.
• Spring 2003:
  Construction of extensions to begin.
• 2007- 2008:
  Construction planned to be completed. Precise dates not yet known, but it is anticipated that the construction period will take four or five years to complete.

See more Phase 3 details at:
http://www.metrolink.co.uk/headlines/phase3.html