Commuter misery as Metrolink shuts down

Empty Metrolink station at Mumps after services cancelled

COMMUTERS faced severe delays as all trams across Greater Manchester were suspended yesterday.

A technical fault at the control depot, which occurred at about 11.30am, meant that there was no service on all eight Metrolink lines until just after 4pm.

It is thought that thousands of passengers were affected. Bus and train services were accepting Metrolink tickets while the lines were down.

The service resumed during rush hour with delays - Transport for Greater Manchester advised people to avoid travelling between 4pm and 7pm.

Mum Kay Smith was waiting at Derker Station with her children Luici and Blaine Farrimond.

She said: “I was on my way to Oldham town centre. I’m trying to ring for a taxi now. I needed to get some medicine which is quite urgent.”

Sam and Michelle Howarth parked their car at Derker in order to get to Manchester and were unaware at first that there was no tram service.

They get the tram as, they said, it is cheaper than driving into the city centre.

One woman, who wished not to be named, had to travel into Manchester for jury service.

She said: “I should have got the tram from Victoria Station. People were directing us to get the bus.

“In the end I got on a train to Castleton and my friend picked me up and dropped me at Derker.”

Linda Smith came into Oldham from Littleborough to run a few errands. She said: “I set off at around 2pm. There was a sign up on the road so I knew before I got to the tram stop.

“I took the 409 bus, which takes a bit longer. It’s just a little bit inconvenient - and the bus station in Oldham is closed as well so I got off at King Street.”