Metrolink Overview

Background

• The 19-mile Altrincham-Bury Metrolink line opened for service in 1992, followed by the Eccles line in 2000 and the Eccles line spur to MediaCityUK, which opened in September 2010.

• Since then the network has undergone a period of unprecedented growth and investment, with extensions to Rochdale via Oldham, East Didsbury, Ashton-under-Lyne and Manchester Airport – as well as a new line through the heart of Manchester city centre.

• The current network is almost 60 miles long with 93 stops and is served by a 120 strong fleet of modern, reliable M5000 trams.

• Metrolink is owned by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and operated and maintained by KeolisAmey Metrolink (KAM) - a joint venture partnership of leading global public transport operator, Keolis, and infrastructure asset management specialist, Amey.

• KAM has a contract to operate and maintain the Metrolink system for up to 10 years up to 2027.

Current Metrolink

Metrolink is integral to ‘Our Network’ – the Mayor’s ten-year plan to create an integrated, modern and accessible public transport system across Greater Manchester. This transport network will be built on the principles already governing Metrolink: convenient; affordable; sustainable; accessible and accountable.

Convenient & Reliable

• Metrolink is the UK’s largest light rail network hosting more than 44 million passenger journeys a year.

• The current network is more than 60 miles long, serving 93 stops across seven lines. Metrolink has undergone an unprecedented expansion with £2bn spent on expanding the network – by 2020 there will be 99 stops and 103km of track.

• Metrolink is the most reliable and efficient system of public transport in Greater Manchester – consistently operating more than 99% of its scheduled mileage.

• It has high levels of customer satisfaction – 89% satisfaction in the most recent survey. Affordable

• Metrolink now operates a four zone system, with zone 1 covering stops in the city centre and zone 4 covering stops furthest away. Customers can now make unlimited journeys across the entire network for just £4.80 for off-peak and £7 for travel at any time of the day.

• Contactless payment (set to launch in mid-July) will offer customers a quick and easy way to pay for their Metrolink journeys by allowing them to use their bank card or other contactless-enabled payment device (phone, watch etc.) to ‘touch-in’ and ‘touch-out’ at smart readers and pay the relevant price – up to a daily cap.

Sustainable

• Metrolink is sustainable – with 100% of the network powered by renewable energy sources.

• Metrolink is zero-emission at street level.

Accessible

• Metrolink is one of the most accessible forms of public transport with step-free access on stops and level access from all platforms to the tram.

Accountable

• Metrolink is owned, operated and maintained at a local level within Greater Manchester. It is accountable to locally elected representatives, such as the Mayor of Greater Manchester.

• As a world-class transport system entirely owned, managed and run at a local level it is an example of how Greater Manchester does things differently and demonstrates a track record and blueprint for how Greater Manchester could run other transport systems in the future.

Safe and Secure

• Metrolink has an extensive network of over 2000 CCTV cameras as well as on-stop and on-board call points.

• The TravelSafe Partnership operates across the public transport system including Metrolink to keep the travelling public safe and deter and prevent crime and antisocial behaviour.

• It is a joint partnership led by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) with support from British Transport Police and transport operators KeolisAmey Metrolink, Stagecoach and First Manchester. Future Metrolink

TPL Completion

• Work to deliver the Trafford Park Line continues to progress well and the current estimated completion date is the first half of 2020. The new line will include six new stops – running from Pomona to a new stop at the Trafford Centre.

• It will support regeneration and economic growth by improving public transport access to employment, business, retail and leisure opportunities for over 1,400 businesses and over 35,000 employees.

Growth & Expansion

• Transport for Greater Manchester has purchased 27 new trams to help cater for current and future demand. The first of these is due in early 2020 and will ultimately increase capacity on the network by 15%.

• TFGM is also exploring the possibility for future Metrolink extensions to Middleton, Port Salford, Stockport, Stalybridge and a ‘western loop’ to complete the circle of the Airport line – although funding would need to be secured for any future extensions.

Tram train

• ‘Tram-train’ is a light-rail public transport system where tram services like Metrolink can share lines with conventional trains.

• TFGM is currently exploring the potential benefits of introducing tram-trains to the city-region as a way of improving rapid transit connections. A number of routes have been identified as having potential for tram-train, including: Manchester to Marple; Manchester to Glossop; Manchester to Wigan via Atherton & Stockport to Manchester Airport.