It has been confirmed that fares on Manchester Metrolink are to increase by an average of 4.2% in January 2014 – in line with the agreed financial strategy that underpins Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s established major investment programme. The 4.2% works out as RPI+1%, which is the usual way of working out fare increases on the network.
With smart ticketing due to be launched on Manchester Metrolink in 2014, and as a result of customer feedback, the changes to fares within the average 4.2% are focused on making fares simpler, more consistent and more transparent.
Quarterly season tickets and four-adult day Travelcards are to be withdrawn as part of a commitment to offer a range of tickets consistent with other modes of transport whilst it has been decided to increase the City Zone slightly by adding New Islington to the area which will offer better value for anyone travelling from that stop.
Obviously fare increases are never going to be popular and with the difficulties experienced by Metrolink over the past few months they are likely to be even less so.
Justifying the increases Cllr Andrew Fender, Chair of the TfGM Committee, said: “At a time when local authorities are facing significant budget pressures, it is vital that Metrolink can cover its own operating costs without any burden on the public purse. The Retail Price Index indicates how much operating costs have changed in the past year in real terms, and fares increase by that level to meet those costs. Put simply, what cost £100 last year now costs £103.20, and that needs to be accounted for. But Metrolink is, of course, in the midst of unprecedented investment, growth and exciting change: by 2016, the network will have trebled to 60 miles in size, with 94 trams serving 93 stops across a number of new lines. At the same time, we are in the final stages of replacing all 32 of the original trams with brand new vehicles as part of a near-£200 million fleet investment, and we’ve opened a second, state-of-the-art depot and operational HQ in Trafford. The Victoria, St Peter’s Square and Deansgate-Castlefield stops are also about to be transformed as part of the Second City Crossing. Metrolink fares continue to offer value for money, particularly for season ticket holders.”
Exact details of specific price changes will be available on the official Manchester Metrolink website from Monday 9th December.
New Excuse for delays tonight !!!
Passengers are being told that on the 6 min service, Rochdale to East Didsbury line, they will have to wait an additional 18 minutes – Due…………..
Due to ……………Staff shortages …………………….
what ever will the next excuse be ?????
It’s hardly a new excuse is it? This is a regular reason given for delays and cancellations on travel systems across the UK. Metrolink won’t be the first business to suffer from staff shortages and they certainly won’t be the last it’s just because they offer a public service it is more noticeable. Yes its annoying to people trying to travel but you just have to accept that these things do, unfortunately, happen at times.
When did the Rochdale – East Didsbury service go to 6 min. frequency? I thought it was still 12 minutes.
OK Ken,
My error 12 not six, but their advice of 18 minutes more waiting time
is what threw me at the stop ( 18 = a permutation of 6 (x 3 )
12 somehow did not equate at all
Mike
Fair enough, just thought I’d missed something! Must admit it seems rather strange showing an 18 minute delay on a 12 minute frequency. Possibly there’ s a lot of drivers with leave to be taken before the end of the year because they’ve been refused it earlier in the year, if my employer is anything to go by. I also wonder whether there is a temporary shortage due to driver training in Oldham town centre.
Staff shortages are nothing new to metrolink,they regulary pull sets due to no drivers.One of the problems is the way the contracts are setup in the first place.When a new line opens,we all know that it means more drivers,inspectors and maintenance staff.But initially tfgm would not release the money to take on more staff until the line actually opened.But as we all know it takes months to recruit and train the drivers.So that puts ratp-dev in a catch 22 situation,as they didn’t want to spend any of their own money.It just shows that common sense means nothing in the running of big business.