Tram passengers’ un-fare diversion

Concern over costly taxi trip leads to talks
METROLINK passengers are being hit with large taxi fares when they leave the tram at Mumps — as vehicles can only leave the station in one direction.

The new road layout on Oldham Way means cars leaving the station have to turn left on to Oldham Way, whereas the old layout also allowed vehicles to turn right.

This means that anyone going to the Huddersfield Road or Lees Road side of Mumps has to travel up to the King Street roundabout and back along the bypass — passing the tram stop they just left, and having already clocked up a few pounds in taxi fare.

Several taxi users have contacted the Chronicle to say their usual fares have doubled because of the extra journey length.

Oldham Council said the roads have been redesigned to meet the needs of Metrolink passengers and other road users once the town centre line is open in 2014. The new layout means the only safe exit for taxis is to turn left on to Oldham Way.

In 2014 Mumps station will close and a permanent Mumps tram station will open on the other side of Oldham Way.

Councillor Dave Hibbert, Cabinet member for housing, transport and planning, added: “It’s in the interests of Metrolink passengers, taxi drivers and other motorists to solve the problem quickly and we’re determined to find a solution.”

READ the full version of this story only in our print and eChron editions
Follow us on Twitter - @OldhamChronicle