More frequent and extended Metrolink services, as well as the continued running of late-night trams, are being introduced in the New Year to meet increased demand.
The number of passengers travelling by tram across Greater Manchester is continuing to grow, with patronage on the Altrincham and Bury lines reaching the same levels as pre-pandemic.
From Tuesday 2nd January 2024 a revamped timetable will see a new six-minute service between Etihad Campus and Manchester city centre from 7am until the end of service.
This will be made possible by extending Altrincham-Piccadilly services to the Etihad Campus at the following times:
After the termination of MediaCityUK-Etihad Campus peak service (After 8pm, Monday to Friday and after 6.30pm on Saturdays) until the end of service
All-day on Sundays
There will also be an uplift in the number of trams operating on the Altrincham and Bury lines which have seen encouraging signs of passenger growth.
In fact, passenger demand across Metrolink has recovered to pre-pandemic levels in the run up to Christmas with passengers making the most of the service to get about during the bus festive period.
The full week from Monday 11th December 2023 saw 940,000 trips made on Metrolink, and Wednesday 6th December 2023 saw 160,000 trips made on a single day.
Double trams will now operate between the newly extended Altrincham-Etihad Campus service as well as Bury-Piccadilly services.
Between Monday and Saturday double trams will operate from the start of service on the Bury-Piccadilly and Altrincham-Piccadilly lines, with doubles introduced on Altrincham-Etihad Campus services after 6.30pm.
On Sundays there will be a mixture of single and double trams, with the majority being doubles, between Altrincham-Etihad Campus and Bury-Piccadilly.
Late-night tram services, which have proven popular since their reintroduction in September, will continue to run until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays. This will include several doubles operating between Altrincham-Etihad Campus, Bury-Piccadilly and to East Didsbury.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “I am delighted that Metrolink will be introducing extra capacity and frequency onto the Altrincham and Bury Metrolink lines, which provides a vital connection for people travelling between the north and south of our region.
“These changes, combined with the late-night trams, will provide a real boost to regular passengers while also presenting a compelling case for those who perhaps don’t travel on trams as frequently to use Metrolink, which plays a central role in our integrated Bee Network public transport system.”
Danny Vaughan, TfGM’s Head of Metrolink, added: “With demand for services on the Altrincham and Bury lines increasing, this new timetable will provide the frequency and capacity needed to meet, sustain and continue to grow patronage on these routes.
“This shows that TfGM and the Metrolink operator are committed to enhancing the service for the benefit of our customers.”
