Manchester Metrolink
The Metrolink is a tram network servicing the Greater Manchester area, specifically Manchester, Salford Quays, Bury, Altrincham, and Eccles. It is owned by the Transport for Greater Manchester and operated by RATP.
Current Routes
Metrolink trams currently run along 6 routes (click on the station names to see location on a map):
Piccadilly – Altrincham
Piccadilly – Piccadilly Gardens –Mosley Street – St Peter’s Square – Deansgate-Castlefield (formerly GMEX) – Cornbrook – Trafford Bar – Old Trafford – Stretford – Dane Road – Sale – Brooklands – Timperley – Navigation Road – Altrincham
Bury – Altrincham
Bury – Radcliffe – Whitefield – Besses o’th’ Barn – Prestwich – Heaton Park – Bowker Vale – Crumpsall – Abraham Moss - Woodlands Road – Victoria – Shudehill – Market Street – Mosley Street – St Peter’s Square – Deansgate-Castlefield (formerly GMEX) – Cornbrook – Trafford Bar – Old Trafford – Stretford – Dane Road – Sale – Brooklands – Timperley – Navigation Road – Altrincham
Bury – Piccadilly
Bury – Radcliffe – Whitefield – Besses o’th’ Barn – Prestwich – Heaton Park – Bowker Vale – Crumpsall – Abraham Moss - Woodlands Road – Victoria – Shudehill – Market Street – Piccadilly Gardens – Piccadilly
Piccadilly - Eccles
Piccadilly – Piccadilly Gardens – Mosley Street – St Peter’s Square – Deansgate-Castlefield (formerly GMEX) – Cornbrook - Pomona – Exchange Quay – Salford Quays – Anchorage - Harbour City – Broadway – Langworthy – Weaste – Ladywell – Eccles
Cornbrook – MediaCityUK
Cornbrook - Pomona – Exchange Quay – Salford Quays – Anchorage - Harbour City– MediaCityUK
Victoria – St Werburgh’s Road
The first stage of the South Manchester Line Metrolink extension (see below) is now open.
Victoria – Shudehill – Market Street – Mosley Street – St Peter’s Square – Deansgate-Castlefield (formerly GMEX) – Cornbrook – Trafford Bar – Firswood – Chorlton – St Werburgh’s Road
Connections
Connections to the national rail system are located at Piccadilly, Victoria, Deansgate-Castlefield, Altrincham, and Navigation Road.
Passengers that have purchased a train ticket to Manchester city centre from any train station in Greater Manchester can travel on the trams for free within the City Zone. The City Zone includes the following stations: Deansgate-Castlefield, St Peter’s Square, Mosley Street, Piccadilly Gardens, Piccadilly, Market Street, Shudehill, and Victoria.
Tickets
Tickets are purchased from machines located at each station. Machines accept coins (though not 1p or 2p coins), notes (£5, £10, £20), plus debit and credit cards. Change is given.
Cheaper off-peak fares apply after 9.30 am on weekdays, and all day on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. Accompanied children under 5 enjoy free travel while children aged 5 – 16 pay reduced price child fares (proof of age required for children over 11).
Passengers must have purchased a ticket or pass before boarding a tram.
Metrolink Extension
Developments planned or underway include:
South Manchester Line
Victoria – St Peter’s Square – Deansgate-Castlefield – Cornbrook – Trafford Bar – Firswood – Chorlton – St Werburgh’s Road – Withington – Burton Road – West Didsbury – Didsbury Village – East Didsbury
The section of the line between Victoria and St Werburgh’s Road is now open. The section between Withington and East Didsbury is expected to be operational by summer 2013.
Oldham and Rochdale Line
The extension to Oldham and Rochdale is expected to be fully operational by 2014.
East Manchester Line
Piccadilly Gardens – Piccadilly – New Islington – Hold Town – Eastlands City Stadium – Velopark – Clayton Hall – Edge Lane – Cemetery Road – Droylsden – Audenshaw – Ashton Moss – Ashton West – Ashton-under-Lyne
The section of the East Manchester line to Droylsden is expected to open in summer 2012. The remainder of the line is scheduled to open by 2014.
Manchester Airport Line
A 9 mile extension from St Werburgh’s Road to Manchester Airport is due for completion in 2016.
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