90% of pre-pandemic passenger numbers were carried on Manchester Metrolink in the lead up to Christmas 2022 according to the latest TfGM Committee report released ahead of their next meeting on Friday 13th January 2023. This has continued a trend over recent months for an increase in patronage on the network which has seen some capacity issues during peak periods.
Passenger numbers have seen a sustained increase since September 2022 buoyed by the return of students to University and the start of a new football season. This has seen numbers up to 80% of pre-Covid levels with this then increasing further to 90% in the lead up to Christmas with the Christmas Markets, Christmas shopping and other Christmas events giving a boost to Metrolink.
Its not just been trips for leisure either which have seen rises with commuter numbers also reaching 80% of average demand since October 2022. The morning peak has even gone over 90% on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from mid-October. This has in turn seen more pressure on capacity midweek on the Altrincham, Bury, East Didsbury, Eccles and Airport lines. There is work being undertaken to increase some peak capacities where possible during early 2023. [Scroll to the bottom of the article for a line-by-line look at patronage]
It is, however, expected that passenger numbers during January and February 2023 will again see a slight fall. This is line with usual seasonal fluctuations and its then expected from mid-March 2023 passenger numbers will again start to increase closer to pre-pandemic levels once more.
Performance wise there was an improvement in reliability (measured by operated mileage) during periods seven (18th September to 15th October 2022) and eight (16th October to 12th November 2022) although it does still remain below the target of 99.4%. In period seven it was up to 98.8% (its highest since period one – 1st April to 30th April 2022) before a slight fall to 98.7% in period eight. The rolling annual average is at 97.6%.
Puncuality also saw an increase in period seven (up to 90.2% from 89.6%) before again falling in period eight to 89.4%. The average for the past 12 months is 89.1%. The target for this figure is 90%.
Major incidents which significantly impacted performance included a collision between a tram and a pedestrian at St Werburgh’S Road on 6th October which saw the line closed for almost five hours and then on 2nd/3rd November a pallet of bricks fell from a building site onto the Eccles line at Anchorage which led to the service being suspended from 1330 on 2nd to 1500 on 3rd November.
The availability of trams has also continued to be a challenge with recent times seeing continued high levels of anti-social behaviour. This has led to smashed windows and doors, damage to ceiling panels and damaged seating. There has also been offensive graffiti and etching. In additional there have been supply chain issues which has affected the ability to get trams back into service.
An area of focus for the start of 2023 which will also help to improve performance is driver recruitment and training. This will not only help to improve performance but will also allow for enhanced capacities and support further recover of the network.
Looking ahead to 2023 and there are scheduled to be fewer long duration closures for engineering works with the majority set to take place over weekends and during the evening. There will, however, be more works on the Eccles line and during the summer there are due to be repairs to Whitefield tunnel on the Bury line.
The meeting on 13th January will also be looking at whether to continue with the carriage of non-assistance dogs on the network. As you may recall between August and October 2022 a pilot was undertaken with a survey following this to get the opinions of regular travellers on the network. It is now being recommended that this is approved and that the Conditions of Carriage are formally changed along with full guidance to passengers on what is expected.
Line-by-line patronage (annual rolling average)
Altrincham: 7.6 million (pre-Covid: 11.3m)
Bury: 5.4 million (pre-Covid: 8.2m)
Eccles: 3.8 million (pre-Covid: 6.2m)
Oldham & Rochdale: 4.5 million (pre-Covid: 6.4m)
East Didsbury: 4.3 million (pre-Covid: 6.0m)
Ashton-under-Lyne: 2.0 million (pre-Covid: 2.8m)
Airport: 2.2 million (pre-Covid: 3.3m)
Trafford Park: 1.6 million (pre-Covid: n/a)