Monday 24th August will see another change to services on Manchester Metrolink with a slight tweak to the timetable, mainly affecting Saturdays and Sundays with the latter increasing from a 20 minute frequency to a 15 minute frequency.
As from Monday 24th August the TfGM website says the following service will run:
Monday to Friday
Every 10 minutes on all lines between 0600 and 1900 and then every 20 minutes from 1900 to midnight
(The previous service was every 10 minutes from start of service until 1900 and then every 20 from 1900 to 2300 so the service will now run for an extra hour at the end of the day)
Saturday
Every 10 minutes between 0800 and 2000 and then every 20 minutes from 2000 to midnight
(Previously it was every 10 minutes from 0800 and 1800 with a 20 minute frequency between 0600 and 0800 and 1800 to 2300. What’s not clear in this new service is what service – if any – will run pre-0800. But we do know the 10 minute frequency now runs for an extra two hours and the overall service has an extra hour at the end of the day)
Sunday
Every 15 minutes between 0700 and 2300
(Previously a 20 minute frequency ran all day)
With this new service some lines will still be enjoying a higher frequency than pre the pandemic (Trafford Centre, Airport) whereas the intermediate services on other lines will still not be running. It is another step in the right direction towards a better service for those travelling on the system though.
Transport for Greater Manchester’s Head of Operations, Alex Cropper, said: “These changes will make it easier for people to get around the city-region, especially later at night. We are now seeing an increased demand, so we’re extending the running times and the frequency of services, as well as ensuring that we’re operating as many double services as we can across the network. We are working hard with our partners to ensure cleaning standards remain as high as possible, but we would also remind passengers it is essential they wear a mask and watch their distance when using public transport. It is also sensible to continue to allow extra time for journeys.”