The headline news from the latest Manchester Metrolink Service Report – as due to be presented to a meeting of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority in mid-January – is that during the last week of November passenger numbers reached 76% of pre-pandemic levels – the highest levels that had been recorded since the start of everything. However, since then and the introduction of the government’s “Plan B” restrictions patronage has once again fallen on the network.
Metrolink had been seeing a steady increase in passenger numbers since October half-term week before it reached the high of 76% in the week of 29th November 2021. Although the figures provided in the report don’t go beyond that date it is mentioned in the text that following that there has been a further fall with the more stringent restrictions and advice in place.
Thursday 2nd December 2021 saw 117,000 journeys recorded on the network – with Manchester United v Arsenal at Old Trafford helping to fuel a lot of these journeys. This was the highest number of journeys recorded on a weekday since March 2020 and was around 86% of pre-pandemic levels. Much of the patronage which had been recorded during this period was at weekends with several weekends seeing numbers above pre-Covid levels.
Also in the report it is confirmed that operational performance has continued to be affected by staff shortages especially amongst drivers. Around 13% of drivers were absent due to illness in mid-December (pre-Covid this level was averaging at 4.5%) and with the number of fully qualified drivers currently lower than required for a full service this had led to service cancellations. The situation continues to be monitored and there is mention that it may be necessary to reduce service levels again in the future.
Its also confirmed that the March 2022 track replacements previously reported on will see points replaced at Deansgate-Castlefield with track also due to renewed at Piccadilly Gardens and Piccadilly.
Meanwhile, it is stated that funding from the Department for Transport to cover some of Metrolink’s costs has now been agreed for the remainder of the 2021/22 financial year. Discussions are now underway about funding beyond March 2022 but it remains uncertain as to what level this will cover.
- The full report (which includes more details on performance, reliability, anti-social behaviour and complaints amongst others) can be viewed on the Greater Manchester Combined Authority website at https://democracy.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/documents/s18485/05%20GMTC%20MRN%2020220114%20Metrolink%20Service%20Performance%20Report.pdf