Manchester Metrolink has once again expanded with the opening of the Oldham town centre extension as planned at the start of service on Monday 27th January. 3036 was the LRV chosen to do the honours of operating the first service departing Trafford Depot shortly before 0500 for Rochdale.
Four new stops have been constructed on the town centre extension at Westwood, Oldham King Street, Oldham Central and Oldham Mumps although with the closure of the temporary Oldham Mumps stop the total number of stops on Manchester Metrolink has only increased by three. The total Metrolink network is now 48 miles (77km) long with 76 stops open to passengers.
Journeys from Rochdale to Victoria are now scheduled to take approximately 45 minutes with those from Oldham Mumps taking around 30 minutes.
Trams will run every 12 minutes between Rochdale and East Didsbury throughout the day Mondays-Saturdays and between 0900 and 1800 on Sundays and Bank Holidays with a 15 minute frequency offered at all other times.
The Rochdale line has been operating a truncated service between East Didsbury / Freehold and Oldham Mumps / Rochdale all afternoon due to ‘a road closure at Oldham Central’, so the folly of not retaining the railway alignment is already showing itself.
According to TfGM website the Rochdale town centre extension opens on Monday 31st March, with shadow running starting on Thursday 27th