As part of the “Safely Reopening GM” guidelines released by the Mayor of Greater Manchester, local businesses and transport leaders this week it has been confirmed that there will there be a further increase of the service on the Metrolink network from 22nd June, as things start to approach more normality on all lines.
Whilst the advice is still very much that you should only be using public transport if you have no alternative – with the reminder that face coverings are compulsory on all public transport in England from 15th June – as more businesses return to work there will be further improvements across the transport network in Greater Manchester to aid social distancing for those who do need to travel.
Included in these latest improvements, specifically affecting Metrolink, are:
* Increased Metrolink frequency from Monday 22nd June with trams running every 10 minutes
* Assessment of further roll-out at key Metrolink stops of hand sanitiser dispensers (these will also be increased at bus stations and interchanges)
* Discounted travel for people working more flexibly and travelling less often
The discounted travel will see the introduction of a new “clipper” card. This will provide 10 identical day travelcards (any zone combination, for anytime or off-peak) for the price of nine. This will be available online and loaded onto get me there smartcards. Avoiding the need to handle cash or to queue at ticket machines this ticket is sure to be popular in the current climate.
Meanwhile, down on the West Midlands Metro they have launched what is being described as an “innovative online heat map” to help potential passengers decide the best time to travel to enable full social distancing. This heat map will highlight times of the day when the network is expected to be busy and thus causing more issues with full social distancing. The latest Heat Map can be found here, with green the best time to travel, moving up through amber and then to red at peak times.