A final tram has arrived to join the new fleet gracing the Manchester Metrolink as part of a £72 million cash injection into the public transport network.
Together, the 27 trams boost capacity across the region and bolster Manchester’s ability to host special events.
It was reported in September that Metrolink’s future was ‘unclear’ due to plummeting customer numbers and soaring operating costs.
But the fresh trams signal a wave of optimism for a network that still served around 30 million people in the 12 months preceding September 2022, with passenger numbers rising in the post-lockdown era.
“These new trams represent a further major investment and will provide increased capacity at key growth areas,” said Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester.
“We now need more people to get on board their local Metrolink services so that we can grow patronage and revenues and put Metrolink back on a more financially sustainable footing.”
Officials have cited the Bury, Altrincham, and Trafford Centre lines as ones that are particularly set to benefit from the investment.
The move is financed by the government’s Transforming Cities Fund, which has also expanded the Trafford and Queens Road depots and helped build more car parking spaces around the city.
These improvements feed into wider enhancements to Manchester’s Bee Network, which aims to provide appealing walking and cycling routes for everyone and ensure high-quality public transport services around the region.
In a video promoting the Metrolink purchase, Burnham said: “I think it’s a real Greater Manchester success story that the tram behind me, and the others out there on the network, run on renewable energy.”
He said: “What we want to build is a fully zero-carbon public transport system when you look at tram, bus, and hire-bike together and we’re on the way to that because I’m ordering new electric buses now.”
Commuters welcomed the progressive ideas but had mixed views on the current state of Metrolink.
Simon Green said: “I use the East Didsbury line pretty much every day for commuting. It’s a great system – it’s efficient, reliable, and rarely goes wrong. I’ve had no problems with it.”
But another commuter wasn’t as complimentary. “I use the Metrolink very rarely,” said Henry, who didn’t give his surname. “It’s quite expensive for what it is and sometimes the online services aren’t operating well so they give you a fine.
“It’s too packed. There aren’t enough doubles at the moment. But it’s good they’re bringing in more trams as sometimes you wait too long.”
