The next Manchester Metrolink extension to open will be the Rochdale town centre line with Transport for Greater Manchester now confirming this will carry its first passengers on Monday 31st March – subject to final testing.
The short extension of the Oldham and Rochdale line will continue on from the current terminus at Rochdale Railway Station and runs along Maclure Road and Drake Street before terminating at a new stop on Smith Street. The new terminus will provide excellent interchange facilities with Rochdale’s state of the art bus station just across the road.
The final stage of testing is due to commence on Thursday 27th March when a full shadow test service will start with trams running every 12 minutes as per the timetable, although without passengers within Rochdale.
Cllr Andrew Fender, Chair of the TfGM Committee, said:” Rochdale town centre is a fantastic new destination for Metrolink passengers and the latest piece in the expansion of the network. This new line takes people right into the heart of the town centre at a time when really exciting changes are being made. Metrolink is going hand in hand with the transformation of the area and it’s a great thing to be part of.”
The first tram in service will leave Rochdale town centre terminus at 0553 on Monday 31st March with trams running every 12 minutes to East Didsbury. When the line opens it will bring the Manchester Metrolink network to 48.5 miles long (78km) with 77 stops.