Lib-Dems seek swift return of Metrolink wi-fi service

Councillor Howard Sykes MBE

The Leader of the Opposition and of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has written to Metrolink bosses calling for wi-fi to be made available again on tram services.

Councillor Sykes sits as an Oldham representative on the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee.  

He also represents Shaw ward, which is located on the busiest Metrolink tram service and has the most used stop – Shaw and Crompton – on the Rochdale to Oldham line.

He was responding to a report from one of his constituents, himself a regular tram user, that the wi-fi service has not been available on trams on the line since the onset of the Coronavirus lockdown.

Councillor Sykes said: “I do not know why the wi-fi service was turned off.  

"It may have been to save money during a time when the Metrolink was poorly used and losing money, or it may have been to stop passengers surfing the web whilst travelling needlessly up and down the line.”

He hopes his appeal to Metrolink bosses will be met with swift action.  

“Now more passengers are returning to the service in order to get to, and from, work, they will rightly expect to be able to access the internet as part of their travel experience,” Councillor Sykes added.  

“Having no wi-fi will be an extra trial for passengers already expected to make their journeys with a mandatory face covering.”

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.