Ticket to ride

Photo: Picture: VINCENT BROWN

THUMBS UP . . . Kian Sheldon, ready to board the first Metrolink tram to leave Oldham Mumps for Manchester Victoria.

Passengers catch historic first tram
PASSENGERS flocked to catch the historic first tram from Mumps to Manchester today as Metrolink finally arrived in Oldham.

Even though the first tram left Manchester Victoria for Oldham during the dawn chorus at 5.24am, there were still more than 30 eager passengers keen to lay claim to being on the very first service to the town.

And after the frustration of delays and speculation over when it would actually arrive, more than 80 Oldhamers were finally able to step on to the first tram out of Oldham Mumps for the return journey at 6am.

Many made special journeys to get on the first tram to run in Oldham since 1946 — from an excited six-year-old to a man from Jersey celebrating his 64th birthday.

But there was little fanfare, with no official ceremony to mark the occasion.

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Adventurous travellers can take the full 19-stop through journey to St Werburgh's Road, near Whalley Range, via Market Street, St Peter's Square, Castlefield, Trafford Bar and Chorlton. When it's finished, the line will split and terminate at Manchester Airport and East Didsbury

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Catching the first tram to Oldham was Barbara Compton (62), from Holts, who said: “The ride was absolutely great. All the upheaval has been worth it. It’s even better than I thought it would be.”

Waiting to get on at Oldham was Francis Doyle (67), from Werneth: “I think it will be really good for Oldham. We’ve not had a railway for a long time so this will allow people to go further. I think the town will feel quite connected again, which you don’t feel on buses.”

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