Tameside tram travellers are set for a welcome boost with the number of services on the Ashton line to double next week.

From Monday 28 January, trams will run every six minutes on the line instead of the current 12, doubling capacity.

The move will halve the average waiting time to just three minutes, making Metrolink a more attractive transport option and enabling more people to access leisure, educational, cultural and employment opportunities.

Boosting the number of services to meet demand supports the aims of Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham’s ‘Congestion Deal’. Launched last year, the deal includes a series of measures to offer people more choice in their transport options and incentivise them to change their travel behaviour.

Encouraging more people to take up tram travel will also contribute towards the aims of the region’s Clean Air Plan. The plan is currently under development and will set out how we can tackle harmful levels of roadside air pollution across the city-region.

Mayor Andy Burnham said: “With extra capacity, reduced waiting times and a simpler and more flexible zonal ticketing system, it’s now easier than ever for communities in Tameside and east Manchester to use the tram.

“Congestion and air quality are two of the biggest issues facing the region and, by introducing measures such as this that reinforce Metrolink as a strong alternative to the car, we are working to tackle them head-on.

“The extra trams also complement the development of the new interchange at Ashton-under-Lyne – due to open in 2020 – which further supports the work we are doing to ensure we have a world-class, fit-for-the-future public transport network across Greater Manchester.” 

Tameside Council Executive Leader Cllr Brenda Warrington said: “This is fantastic news and will make it even easier and more convenient for everyone – from local residents, students and workers to shoppers visiting the borough – to take the tram.  It also supports our wider work to promote more sustainable travel.

“This investment comes at a great time for Ashton as we finalise our once in a generation Vision Tameside programme creating a new college and library, and look forward with excitement to the building of the Ashton Transport Interchange.”

ENDS

Media contact: 0161 244 1055 or email mediarelations@tfgm.com

Notes to Editors

1. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is the transport delivery arm for Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and its Transport for Greater Manchester Committee (TfGMC).

2. We co-ordinate public transport and other types of travel – like driving, cycling and walking – throughout the ten district areas of Greater Manchester, one of the UK’s largest regional economies outside London.

3. We work closely with bus, tram and train operators to help put the customer first and improve the journey experience. We also own Metrolink – the UK’s largest light rail network hosting 42 million passenger journeys a year – and plan for its future.

4. By investing in new, modern transport interchanges and smarter travel information we’re making it easier to get around on public transport. We also promote and invest in walking and cycling as a healthy and sustainable way to travel.

5. With our partners at Highways England and the ten local authorities we work to keep our roads safe and ease congestion.

6. We’re also planning for a more sustainable future. Through the Greater Manchester 2040 Transport Strategy and Air Quality Action Plan we aim to make our city-region a cleaner, greener and healthier place to live, work and play in.

7. For more information, visit www.tfgm.com.

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