I think that there's a definite limit to the catchment area of Eccles station. Bus services are frequent (to the extent of counting as 'turn up and go'), so unless someone happens to live within reasonable walking distance of the station, any advantage that the train holds is easily lost, especially given the relative proximity of Eccles and Manchester. A person living as close to Eccles centre as, say Ladywell, wouldn't realistically contemplate travelling into Manchester by train (although that would presumably change if the oft-mooted ramps from the eastern ends of the platforms to Gilda Brook Road were to be constructed). Someone travelling into Eccles by bus from the west would probably not find it worthwhile to change on to a train for Manchester, given the tramp up to the station, and, even with the best of planning, a bit of a wait for the train. Add to that the likelihood that the bus is more likely than the train to deposit a passenger close to their intended destination.I don't know the area particularly well, but it seems to me that there are enough people in Eccles (and the catchment area of its station) to easily support a frequent commuter service of at least 4tph, in addition to Metrolink. If the infrastructure can't support that I wonder what it says about investment in 'the Northern Powerhouse'?