Manchester Metrolink (Non speculative discussion)

[Tim33160]

Anyone know what the Metrolink daily PVR (peak vehicle requirement) is now, since 2 January?
It was 107 before they added the Etihad - Media City peak trams back in when it went to 117.

 

[Jamesrob637]

Anyone know what the Metrolink daily PVR (peak vehicle requirement) is now, since 2 January?
It was 107 before they added the Etihad - Media City peak trams back in when it went to 117.

There are 145 trams. I wouldn't be surprised if 135 plus were in service on match days.

 

[Bungle965]

Not sure if this has been posted already...

Deal secured to keep Metrolink trams on the tracks

A three-year contract extension has been announced

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

A new three-year deal between Metrolink and its operating company has been announced by transport chiefs.

The Metrolink tram network in Greater Manchester is run on Transport for Greater Manchester's behalf by private company KeolisAmey Metrolink Ltd. TfGM has now confirmed an extension to the Metrolink operations and maintenance contract, which will see the company continue to operate and maintain trams here from July until July 2027.

It's good news for the operation and maintenance of the trams but more effort needs to be put into the stations themselves some are entering a general state of disrepair.
Lifts seem to take an absolute age to get fixed if one fails and the less said about Piccadilly the better.
Metrolink seem to tweet out regularly that you're safe at their stations as they're fitted with lots of CCTV doesn't mean they're at all a nice place to wait sometimes.

 

[sprunt]

It's good news for the operation and maintenance of the trams but more effort needs to be put into the stations themselves some are entering a general state of disrepair.
Lifts seem to take an absolute age to get fixed if one fails and the less said about Piccadilly the better.

Yeah, the escalators seem to be rarely working too. I can't remember the last time the escalator at Bury was going.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Yeah, the escalators seem to be rarely working too. I can't remember the last time the escalator at Bury was going.

At least that small lift from the concourse to the platform was working the last time I was there.

 

[sprunt]

At least that small lift from the concourse to the platform was working the last time I was there.

Yes, that seems to be generally in operation. The lack of the escalator is more a capacity problem when a heavily loaded tram arrives in Bury than a mobility one though - it wouldn't be so bad if it weren't barriered off, despite no work taking place, at least them people would have the option of walking up it.

 

[Russel]

Two Metrolink questions from me after recently using the system again after a few years away from Manchester...

Why was the network built as a high floor system rather than low floor?

Why, when travelling from central Manchester to Trafford Park is the advice to change at Cornbrook, rather than Deansgate Castlefield where the Trafford Park trams start?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I think that when contributors talk of extending the Manchester Metrolink system, it should be remembered that trams are only one part of the equation. Station infrastructure et al also need to be allowed for.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Two Metrolink questions from me after recently using the system again after a few years away from Manchester...

Why was the network built as a high floor system rather than low floor?

They would have made use of the former BR platforms on the (one-time heavy rail) Bury and Altrincham lines. No need to rebuild 15 or so platforms.

Why, when travelling from central Manchester to Trafford Park is the advice to change at Cornbrook, rather than Deansgate Castlefield where the Trafford Park trams start?

Interchanges at Cornbrook tram stop can always be made using the same island platform. Never any need to cross the line.

 

[Crossover]

Why was the network built as a high floor system rather than low floor?

They would have made use of the former BR platforms on the (one-time heavy rail) Bury and Altrincham lines. No need to rebuild 15 or so platforms.

Further, probably to keep costs down as well.

Notwithstanding there could have been an element of 'speculate to accumulate' as in the longer term, it would have likely reduced costs and allowed access to a larger potential of off the shelf tram vehicles, it may have made the project unviable back in the 90's (with a good helping of "won't be my problem" further down the line)

 

[WatcherZero]

Was indeed to keep the costs down but at the time 100% low floor trams hadnt been invented, you had a choice of either high floor or 70% low floor which had a lower floor level around the doors and a step up to a a higher floor level over the axels like buses.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Further, probably to keep costs down as well.

If memory serves, conversion of the outer Metrolink stations from heavy rail to tram operation in 1992 consisted largely of boarding up the old BR ticket offices, installation of new Metrolink signage, new TVMs and a grey/aquamarine makeover / paint job. Think it was the City Centre infrastructure and acquisition of the (then new) T68 tram fleet where most of the budget got spent.

 

[edwin_m]

Low floor trams were uncommon when Metrolink first opened in 1992, and most that did exist proved to be unreliable and short-lived compared to high-floor designs. Metrolink effectively took the state of the art in light rail when it was designed (which was of course some time before 1992), and uses the same vehicle specification as the high-floor networks that opened in Germany in the 70s.

 

[Danfilm007]

Ironically though if it does become tram-train running, it might be better than the Sheffield ones?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Ironically though if it does become tram-train running, it might be better than the Sheffield ones?

What is the latest official news on tram-trains in The Land of the Bee?

 

[507 001]

Ironically though if it does become tram-train running, it might be better than the Sheffield ones?

That’s one of the reasons why we didn’t get the trial.


IMO, high floor systems are superior to low floor systems, but I may be biased.

 

[Russel]

Makes sense then, quite the pioneer in terms of Modern UK tram networks.

From my recent visits, I have to say how scruffy most of the trams are starting to look, externally, you can tell how hard they must be worked.

 

[Class 466]

There are 145 trams. I wouldn't be surprised if 135 plus were in service on match days.

There's 147 and I know of a number that are long term out of service - 3092 is back though! Definitely be surprised if anything near 135 are planned to be used at any point at the moment- willing to be corrected though.

Makes sense then, quite the pioneer in terms of Modern UK tram networks.

From my recent visits, I have to say how scruffy most of the trams are starting to look, externally, you can tell how hard they must be worked.

Safe to say a number of the early batches look very tired now - I can only assume 3047s base livery is very poor now given it’s permanently in all over advertising vinyls now. 3001 barely has any of the yellow spots left on it now too

 

[Tim33160]

Temporary service changes: Tuesday 16 to Sunday 21 January​

Victoria track repairs and planned works​

Due to a cracked rail on the approach to Victoria station, there will be a temporary service change to the tram network from the start of service on Tuesday 16 January.
Until the end of service on Friday 19 January, Altrincham-Bury and Manchester Airport-Victoria services will operate via Exchange Square and will not stop at Shudehill or Market Street.
In addition to the above service change, there are planned works due to take place across the network on Sunday 21 January.

• Additional works will take place at Victoria on Saturday 20 January and Sunday 21 January, requiring trams across the network to operate different service patterns. NO trams through Victoria - Market Street/ Exchange Sq. These are detailed below.
• The network-wide shutdown and Ashton line engineering works on Sunday 21 January will still take place as planned.
• From start of service on Monday 22 January, most tram services will return to normal except for East Didsbury and Rochdale trams which will not call at Exchange Square until further notice. Both the East Didsbury-Rochdale Town Centre and East Didsbury-Shaw and Crompton services will operate via Market Street, Shudehill and Victoria.

Full details at https://tfgm.com/temporary-service-changes (page will change as days progress)

​

 

[Danfilm007]

What is the latest official news on tram-trains in The Land of the Bee?

I don't think there is one currently? Think the main focus is extensions currently

 

[py_megapixel]

Makes sense then, quite the pioneer in terms of Modern UK tram networks.

From my recent visits, I have to say how scruffy most of the trams are starting to look, externally, you can tell how hard they must be worked.

I do think they would benefit from some cosmetic works, yes. You can tell when one of the most recent batch pulls in as the livery looks shiny and clean, unlike the older ones (some of them barely have any of their vinyl left on the cab ends).

They don't seem to be too bad internally - a credit to the teams that keep them clean and tiny - though I'm sure a basic refresh and maybe some more modern information screens wouldn't go amiss. In any case, the interior of an M5000 is veritably luxurious compared to a lot of the clapped-out rubbish that the bus companies of Manchester put out on the road, so if TfGM can choose to direct funding to refresh either trams and Bee Network buses, I'd be going for the latter...

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I don't think there is one currently? Think the main focus is extensions currently

Thanks for that. It is the mention of tram-trains in postings on websites that must be something far removed in time.

 

[Danfilm007]

Thanks for that. It is the mention of tram-trains in postings on websites that must be something far removed in time.

It's not my area so I'm not 100% sure. I know the all-over yellow corporate identity is the future for the trams though!

 

[507 001]

I don't think there is one currently? Think the main focus is extensions currently

Both are being worked on in the background. Nothing official as of yet but there are some pretty advanced aspirational plans.

It's not my area so I'm not 100% sure. I know the all-over yellow corporate identity is the future for the trams though!

Not what we have heard. Last we heard was there would be a few sets put into the new livery, but not all.

 

[Danfilm007]

Not what we have heard. Last we heard was there would be a few sets put into the new livery, but not all.

At risk of having the same conversation we had a month ago on this (Post 214), I'm just going off what the TfGM reps said at the Passenger Transport Conference thing I attended which is that it would become all yellow eventually (as everything in TfGM control would be)

 

[Russel]

I do think they would benefit from some cosmetic works, yes. You can tell when one of the most recent batch pulls in as the livery looks shiny and clean, unlike the older ones (some of them barely have any of their vinyl left on the cab ends).

They don't seem to be too bad internally - a credit to the teams that keep them clean and tiny - though I'm sure a basic refresh and maybe some more modern information screens wouldn't go amiss. In any case, the interior of an M5000 is veritably luxurious compared to a lot of the clapped-out rubbish that the bus companies of Manchester put out on the road, so if TfGM can choose to direct funding to refresh either trams and Bee Network buses, I'd be going for the latter...

Yes, you're right, internally they are mostly in a good condition still, it's held up well, compared to the exterior.

 

[Cricketer8for9]

Apropos the emergency service changes there certainly were some very severe speed limits in places - the lowest seemed to be 5 (?mph?). This was Friday 12th and Saturday 13th.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Will the name "Manchester Metrolink" eventually vanish and be replaced by some "Bee" new title? I for one hope no change will be made.

 

[Tim33160]

All the publicity and information posters on trams and platforms no longer mentions "Metrolink" - it is all "Bee Network" now.
Metrolink customer services has been merged into the new Bee Network customer services which covers everything causing confusion when passengers see all-yellow Bee Network buses on non-franchised services, and customer services direct the query back to the non-franchise operator!

All Bee Network back office services in franchised area are dealt with by Bee Network - (lost property, complaints etc) not the actual contractor.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Looking at the original area of London that never saw de-regulation and is the one that Mr Burnham said he is emulating, what has that area done in the way of tram renaming that will ignore the geographical area in which it runs?

Maybe Mr Burnham likes the amended version of a certain national anthem, duly amended to suit politically....
"Oh say, does that red socialist banner yet wave
Oe'r the land of the BEE and the home of the brave"