Manchester Metrolink (Non speculative discussion)

[Ethano92]

Not this again…

Is the eye roll necessary? It’s a valid point regardless of TfGMs position or whether it’s been discussed prior. It took London Overground a while, for example.

I don’t think line names are necessary but more should be done to correlate line colour on the map with platforms indicators. With recent discussion of some platform PIDs needing updating, what’s to say Metrolink can’t adopt full colour screens which include the line colour of the service beside its destination. Metrolink doesn’t really have an in-station navigation challenge, just knowing which tram to actually board. Especially relevant in times of disruption when rarer destinations crop up which mean nothing to someone who lives on the opposite side of town.

On a less speculative note I remember seeing articles last year of Metrolink ridership growing promisingly, has this kept up into the new year?

 

[507 001]

the eye roll necessary? It’s a valid point regardless of TfGMs position or whether it’s been discussed prior. It took London Overground a while, for example.

I don’t think line names are necessary but more should be done to correlate line colour on the map with platforms indicators. With recent discussion of some platform PIDs needing updating, what’s to say Metrolink can’t adopt full colour screens which include the line colour of the service beside its destination. Metrolink doesn’t really have an in-station navigation challenge, just knowing which tram to actually board. Especially relevant in times of disruption when rarer destinations crop up which mean nothing to someone who lives on the opposite side of town.

Yes it absolutely is necessary. This subject has been discussed to death, and it just leads to arguments.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the current system.

 

[toms]

Is the eye roll necessary? It’s a valid point regardless of TfGMs position or whether it’s been discussed prior. It took London Overground a while, for example.

I don’t think line names are necessary but more should be done to correlate line colour on the map with platforms indicators. With recent discussion of some platform PIDs needing updating, what’s to say Metrolink can’t adopt full colour screens which include the line colour of the service beside its destination. Metrolink doesn’t really have an in-station navigation challenge, just knowing which tram to actually board. Especially relevant in times of disruption when rarer destinations crop up which mean nothing to someone who lives on the opposite side of town.

On a less speculative note I remember seeing articles last year of Metrolink ridership growing promisingly, has this kept up into the new year?

Coming from 507 who actually has the privilege of working at Metrolink and knows how things work, he is well within is rights to do that.

 

[Bletchleyite]

There isn't a simple answer to that question really. Eccles probably doesn't justify doubles, nor does Ashton. TPL definitely doesn't (other than football days and a few services in the evening rush hour). Rochdale definitely doesn't beyond Shaw (again though, rush hour services do to an extent.

St Albans Abbey doesn't justify more than a 153, and most of the time one of those bike-adapted ones would have enough seats. But it's easier to use a 4-car 350. Same for Metrolink - simple is easier and cheaper overall.

New speculative thread here: https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...-fleet-what-should-it-look-like-if-so.281380/

 

[Ethano92]

Coming from 507 who actually has the privilege of working at Metrolink and knows how things work, he is well within is rights to do that.

Fully aware as they frequently provide insights on this thread. Doesn’t stop the fact that public transport exists for the benefit of the travelling public. One of Bee Networks six commitments is accountability, encouraging people to rate their journeys and provide feedback.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the current system.

An employee will of course have a greater knowledge of the network than the very passengers Metrolink exists for. If a conversation isn’t appropriate for this thread, could just say exactly that.

 

[Northerngirl]

Possibly. That pretty much depends on tram-train though. There is a growing opinion amongst staff that the M5000s aren't particularly suited to Metrolink. They're too light for starters... kind to the track (ish) but can only be described as lively at speed.



It's actually considerably more than 4-5 meters. You'd lose both cabs plus the couplers, the draw bars of which are quite long on an M5000 for obvious reasons. You could actually insert a whole extra section and still stay within current platform lengths.

While yes they clearly need 4 cars, think a decent bit more room could be made just with redesigning the seat layout, it seems very messy with how many singles seats and big gaps there are. More radically they could pull out the middle cabs and run them permanently as pairs, that would get and extra couple rows in atleast

 

[WibbleWobble]

I don’t think line names are necessary but more should be done to correlate line colour on the map with platforms indicators. With recent discussion of some platform PIDs needing updating, what’s to say Metrolink can’t adopt full colour screens which include the line colour of the service beside its destination. Metrolink doesn’t really have an in-station navigation challenge, just knowing which tram to actually board. Especially relevant in times of disruption when rarer destinations crop up which mean nothing to someone who lives on the opposite side of town.

Personally, using colours alone is not a good idea - it does not help those with colour-blindness for example. At least using a line indicator such as number or letter stands out, especially if said indicator is shown on destination screens or platform indicator boards. Announcements saying, for example, "the next tram is a Line A service to Bury" would also need to used for those with an inability to read (loss of sight, learning disability etc).

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I am not far off 80 years of age and have never had any difficulty with information shown on the PID in telling me which trams are coming and when.

 

[507 001]

While yes they clearly need 4 cars, think a decent bit more room could be made just with redesigning the seat layout, it seems very messy with how many singles seats and big gaps there are. More radically they could pull out the middle cabs and run them permanently as pairs, that would get and extra couple rows in atleast

3074 upwards have an extra 6 seats by doing just that. Above that there’s not a huge amount you can do if you want to retain the level of accessibility that we have for example.

The T68s had a lot more seats, but they weren’t as accessible as the M5000s.

I personally would turn the front row of seats around to create a bay of four and a bay of three. Good for Families.

I’m not sure ripping cabs out would actually be possible. There’s a lot of equipment in those cabs that would need to be relocated, and they would be operationally awkward.

 

[py_megapixel]

I personally would turn the front row of seats around to create a bay of four and a bay of three. Good for Families.

Might actually make it less popular. At the moment it's possible to (sort of) sit looking out and pretend to "drive the tram"!

 

[507 001]

Might actually make it less popular. At the moment it's possible to (sort of) sit looking out and pretend to "drive the tram"!

On the contrary, it would make it easier for kids to do that as they'd be able to kneel on the seat and look through the bulkhead window. The present layout can make it quite difficult for little ones to see.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

On the contrary, it would make it easier for kids to do that as they'd be able to kneel on the seat and look through the bulkhead window. The present layout can make it quite difficult for little ones to see.

The front row has absolutely shocking legroom as well.

3074 upwards have an extra 6 seats by doing just that. Above that there’s not a huge amount you can do if you want to retain the level of accessibility that we have for example.

I have to say, as I’ve mentioned before, I’m actually a big fan of the earlier M5000s (I thought it was up to 3075 not 3073 but you’d know) primarily because the two single seats in between the doors have much enhanced leg and elbow room, plus a little table which is great for longer commutes with a coffee

But I appreciate they’re not space efficient on such a busy route.

Ironic though, isn’t it, that the two busiest routes by far on the network - Altrincham Bury and Altrincham Picc - are the two routes that can’t actually run the M5000s with additional seating.

 

[507 001]

Ironic though, isn’t it, that the two busiest routes by far on the network - Altrincham Bury and Altrincham Picc - are the two routes that can’t actually run the M5000s with additional seating.

Yes, although the original plan was to reconfigure them all but that seems to have fallen by the wayside.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Is there a problem with the Harbour City points? For the past two weeks since the closure all the trams seem to have to wait for five minutes at Harbour City while the drivers manually shove the points with a crowbar?

 

[Kite159]

3074 upwards have an extra 6 seats by doing just that. Above that there’s not a huge amount you can do if you want to retain the level of accessibility that we have for example.

The T68s had a lot more seats, but they weren’t as accessible as the M5000s.

I personally would turn the front row of seats around to create a bay of four and a bay of three. Good for Families.

And good for those people whom seem to forget how to sit properly and will rest their dirty feet on the seats opposite in those bays, see similar with bay seats on buses.

 

[507 001]

And good for those people whom seem to forget how to sit properly and will rest their dirty feet on the seats opposite in those bays, see similar with bay seats on buses.

Feet on seats is a problem anyway. It would be no worse than the current situation where people sit backwards on the front row of seats.

 

[Tetchytyke]

think a decent bit more room could be made just with redesigning the seat layout, it seems very messy with how many singles seats and big gaps there are.

Fewer seats means more standing room, and you will undoubtedly crush-load more people on to the trams with the fewer seats. So it is swings and roundabouts really; the reduction in seats is only really a problem when the trams are full, and if the trams are full then the standing room is a more efficient use of space.

 

[sierraromeo]

A trivial question that probably has a trivial answer.

The card readers: some I use used to make “the sound” and now they don’t. They work but they’re silent. It’s not linked to the time of day. Do they just have faulty speakers?

 

[BlitzFan87]

Can someone explain why the Trafford centre line will be terminating at Etihad Campus during engineering work starting in late march

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Can someone explain why the Trafford centre line will be terminating at Etihad Campus during engineering work starting in late march

And why, yet again, and for an entire month, is the Eccles line subject to every service running via MediaCityUK?? Why isn't the MediaCity Etihad service running instead of this bizarre Trafford extension?

You know what, I'm going to think on the bright side. Sometimes when I can't be bothered walking to work I hop on the tram from Weaste or Langworthy to Broadway. Now I suppose for a month I'll be able to get a tram straight into MediaCity and save me the three minute walk from Broadway.

 

[toms]

Can someone explain why the Trafford centre line will be terminating at Etihad Campus during engineering work starting in late march

This in my eyes would be most likely due to the fact that Metrolink want to keep a constant peak time service on the Bury line. To do this, obvs Bury service cannot operate to Piccadilly/Etihad & Ashton so can only really operate to Altrincham, so that’s two services taken up on the Altrincham and Bury lines. Additionally, Altrincham - Piccadilly services extend to Etihad outside of peak times and this can’t happen because all services operate to Bury on the altrincham line in this time, so they’ve used Trafford Centre - Etihad instead. At least we can say Trafford line has gone somewhere other than deansgate for a bit so it’s technically been extended.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

While the Eccles line block is going ahead, I’ve noticed a little life hack when I need to go from work at MediaCity into town. The Ashton tram arrives, terminates, and then waits for the Etihad tram to terminate and go back out before it goes out itself.

So currently, an Ashton tram will arrive and everyone will swamp onto it. I now ignore it, wait for the Etihad to arrive, get on that, and leave almost straight away on an empty tram, while the disgruntled passengers on the full Ashton tram wonder what’s just happened.

 

[Tramfan]

While the Eccles line block is going ahead, I’ve noticed a little life hack when I need to go from work at MediaCity into town. The Ashton tram arrives, terminates, and then waits for the Etihad tram to terminate and go back out before it goes out itself.

So currently, an Ashton tram will arrive and everyone will swamp onto it. I now ignore it, wait for the Etihad to arrive, get on that, and leave almost straight away on an empty tram, while the disgruntled passengers on the full Ashton tram wonder what’s just happened.

I've seen people complaining to them about that, and assumed maybe the Ashton trams were waiting out time and slotting back in as if they'd been to Eccles and back. However doesn't look like that would be possible from the timetable, as they'd be clogging the platform up for around half an hour.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

All the while Eccles services are all going via MCUK, although of course they do on Sundays anyway, I’ve noticed that when travelling home to Langworthy from town, I can get off at Harbour City, get my groceries for the evening’s dinner at Sainsbury’s Local while it does the hoo ha at MCUK, and then rejoin the same tram with ease at Broadway Must have done it three or four times now!

 

[Tim33160]

Metrolink Tram improvement works and disruptions​

For the majority of the improvement works, a replacement bus service will be operating to help you continue your journey.
Not all planned improvement works will impact service, with some happening out of service hours, but they have the potential to cause temporary or intermittent noise, light, dust, or highway disruption. See tram improvement works that won't cause disruption.
If you are travelling on any of the dates listed below, please plan ahead and allow plenty of time for your journey.

Deansgate-Castlefield and Trafford Bar works - Saturday 22 March to Sunday 23 March
From Saturday 22 March, until the end of service on Sunday 23 March, track renewal works will take place at Deansgate-Castlefield and Trafford Bar.
Trafford Bar works
No tram services will operate between Firswood/Old Trafford and Cornbrook.
The Altrincham line will terminate at Old Trafford, the East Didsbury/Manchester Airport lines will terminate at Firswood.

Deansgate-Castlefield works
No tram services will operate between Deansgate-Castlefield and Exchange Square/Market Street/Piccadilly Gardens.
The following bus replacement services will run on both days to keep customers connected: Chorlton - Victoria, Old Trafford - Piccadilly.
Tram tickets and passes will also be accepted on the following Bee Network buses: 23, 25, 85, 85A and 86.
Tram services will resume their normal service pattern from Monday 24 March.
Find out more about the Deansgate-Castlefield and Trafford Bar works

High Street and Church Street works - Tuesday 25 March to Wednesday 23 April
From Tuesday 25 March, until the end of service on Wednesday 23 April, work will take place on the Metrolink tracks between Market Street and High Street/Church Street in the city centre.
During this time, no trams will be able to operate via Market Street or Shudehill.
All services from Altrincham will operate to Bury via Exchange Square. Trafford Centre services will operate to Etihad Campus via Piccadilly Gardens, and services between Manchester Airport and Victoria will divert via Exchange Square.
Some customers may have to change trams at St Peter's Square or take a short walk to reach their usual stop. You can also hop onboard the Free Bus 2 service to connect between city centre tram stops.
A replacement bus service will only run outside of the Free Bus 2 operating times.
Please note: Tram tickets are only accepted on the replacement bus and will not be accepted on Bee Network bus services.
Tram services will resume their normal service pattern from Thursday 24 April.
Find out more about the High Street and Church Street works

Works starting in May​

Rochdale line works - Saturday 3 to Monday 5 May
From Saturday 3 May, until the end of service on Monday 5 May, track renewal works will take place between Westwood and Derker.
No tram services will operate between Freehold and Rochdale Town Centre during this time.
A bus replacement service will operate between the affected stops.
Find out more about the Rochdale line works.

Whitefield Tunnel repair works - Saturday 10 to Sunday 11 May
From Saturday 10 May, until the end of service on Sunday 11 May, essential repair works will take place to the Whitfield Tunnel roof.
During the works, the following service changes will be in place on the Bury line:

• On Saturday 10 May, no tram services will operate between Crumpsall and Bury.
• On Sunday 11 May, no tram services will operate between Whitefield and Bury.

A bus replacement service will operate between the affected stops.
Find out more about the Whitfield Tunnel repair works in early May.

Whitefield Tunnel repair works - Sunday 25 May to Sunday 1 June
From Sunday 25 May, until the end of service on Sunday 1 June, essential repair works will take place to the Whitfield Tunnel roof.
During the works, the following service changes will be in place on the Bury line:

• On Sunday 25 May, no tram services will operate between Crumpsall and Bury.
• From Monday 26 to Thursday 29 May, no tram services will operate between Whitefield and Bury.
• From Friday 30 May to Sunday 1 June, no tram services will operate between Crumpsall and Bury.

A bus replacement service will operate between the affected stops.
Find out more about the Whitfield Tunnel repair works in late May/early June.

 

[DAL1189]

Perhaps this is a silly question, but why does metrolink serve MCUK in their modified working like they’ve got right now? It’s a little offspur and is within a 3-5 minute walk of harbour city or broadway. It feels like the reversing in and out of there would be more trouble than it’s worth to me.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Perhaps this is a silly question, but why does metrolink serve MCUK in their modified working like they’ve got right now? It’s a little offspur and is within a 3-5 minute walk of harbour city or broadway. It feels like the reversing in and out of there would be more trouble than it’s worth to me.

To some, it may seem a "little offspur", but I wonder how many contributors realise what is served by the two-platform tram terminal stop and the amount of money those companies put into the construction.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

To some, it may seem a "little offspur", but I wonder how many contributors realise what is served by the two-platform tram terminal stop and the amount of money those companies put into the construction.

I use it every day. I still find the diversion of the Eccles service annoying. If they put that much money into it, it can have its own service full time. And why is it currently being diverted to The Trafford Centre while Market St works are going on? That makes absolutely no sense at all.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I use it every day. I still find the diversion of the Eccles service annoying. If they put that much money into it, it can have its own service full time. And why is it currently being diverted to The Trafford Centre while Market St works are going on? That makes absolutely no sense at all.

The answer to that lies with the service providers-that-be who decide upon all operational matters. Breach your query to them.

 

[toms]

I use it every day. I still find the diversion of the Eccles service annoying. If they put that much money into it, it can have its own service full time. And why is it currently being diverted to The Trafford Centre while Market St works are going on? That makes absolutely no sense at all.

It’s to make up for the Altrincham service to the Etihad I’m pretty sure although I’m not sure why the MediaCity service can’t operate during peak and Trafford extend at night. Idk why so many people have complained about it recently because you can now get to the Trafford Centre from town and still get to MediaCity via the Eccles service