Push for extra trains pays off

PASSENGERS could soon have more room on the train as moves to bring more carriages to Greater Manchester routes gain momentum.

A cross-party delegation from the Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority (GMITA) met Secretary of State for Transport Lord Adonis with the aim of securing a commitment to provide sufficient carriages for Northern Rail to ease overcrowding.

Councillor Keith Whitmore, chairman of GMITA, said: “We have been working closely with the Department for Transport on this issue over the past 15 months. We are confident that we are going to see additional rolling stock coming to Greater Manchester this year.

“We have successfully demonstrated that GMITA was right all along that extra carriages are essential if we are to meet current and future demand for rail travel.

“We have invited Lord Adonis to come to Manchester in the next few weeks when we hope to be in a position to make further announcements.”

Councillor Ian Macdonald, GMITA vice-chairman, said: “Although we have made some progress we understand that commuters’ patience is wearing thin.

“We would like to give passengers an absolute assurance that we will continue to put pressure on Government to end the misery of their daily journeys.”

Lord Adonis also praised GMITA’s work in improving services on Greater Manchester’s Rochdale and Stalybridge lines by funding five extra trains last autumn, but acknowledged that more rolling stock for Northern Rail will be necessary.