Metrolink: ready to roll

FINAL testing, the first trams are scheduled to start carrying passengers on Wednesday

The first Metrolink tram will leave Victoria for Mumps at 5.24am on Wednesday

The first tram to Mumps will call at all eight stops along the new line: Monsall, Central Park, Newton Heath & Moston, Failsworth, Hollinwood, South Chadderton, Freehold and Mumps. It will then become the first passenger-carrying tram to depart Mumps, leaving at 6am. Journeys from Mumps to Manchester city centre will take around 25 minutes and run every 12 minutes, increasing later to six minutes as passengers build.

Councillor Andrew Fender, chairman of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, said: “This is an historic day for Oldham and the Metrolink network.

“It also marks the latest stage of a massive expansion of the Metrolink network that will bring our trams to even more new destinations and open up even more opportunities for businesses and communities.”

Oldham council leader Jim McMahon said: “To have Metrolink up and running will be a hugely significant and exciting day in the history of our borough.

“We must make sure we keep to the agreed timetable for the town centre route as it is central to our future prospects. This is the biggest infrastructure project ever undertaken here. Metrolink is essential to our plans to get people to see Oldham differently.”

Tickets to any of the stops in Manchester city centre, up to and including Deansgate-Castlefield, start at £3.20 for a peak “anytime” single from the Oldham Mumps-Hollinwood stops, or £2.30 from the Failsworth-Monsall stops. An “anytime” return ticket for the same trip will be £4.80 from the Oldham Mumps-Hollinwood stops, and £3.40 from the Failsworth-Monsall stops. Off-peak (9.30am onwards) equivalents will be £3.50 and £2.80. Further savings can be made with special day, weekend, family and group passes and longer-term tickets.


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