Extra trams to run on Metrolink in lead up to Christmas

For a month in the lead up to Christmas this year there will be extra services running on Manchester Metrolink with trams running later on certain routes giving a 6 minute frequency later than usual whilst Fridays and Saturdays will see trams running an hour later.

Starting on Saturday 23rd November and continuing until Sunday 22nd December trams on the “peak” routes which normally end at 2000 Monday-Friday and 1830 on Saturday will carry on operating until 2100. This will see the Bury to Altrincham direct, Ashton-MediaCityUK and East Didsbury-Shaw & Crompton services all extended by an hour on weekdays and two and a half hours on Saturday giving the Altrincham, Ashton-under-Lyne, Bury, Altrincham, East Didsbury, Eccles and Oldham & Rochdale lines a six minute frequency for longer.

Added to this Friday and Saturday night in the peak party season will also run for around an hour longer making sure everyone get home after their Christmas do! Examples of the later services are given from St Peter’s Square and include the last tram to Altrincham being at 0149 instead of 0037 and 0126 for Rochdale (usually 0026).

The Christmas period is traditionally the busiest time for Metrolink with an additional 300,000 passenger journeys made in December compared to the usual average passenger figures.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “I am committed to improving Greater Manchester’s transport system and one of the things I want to see is later running public transport. I’ve been working closely with TfGM and Sacha Lord to look at how we can improve night-time transport and help people get home quickly and safely after work or after a night out. So, I’m really pleased we can introduce these enhancements, which will be a welcome boost for the many people that will be working, shopping or socialising over the Christmas period. We will be closely monitoring the uptake to help inform our long-term plans, and ensure we have a transport system that works for everyone.”

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