Within a matter of weeks from its opening, Metrolink became a huge success
for Greater Manchester. It brought a new concept in public transport in the
form of UK’s first modern street operating light rail system.
Metrolink is unusual because it incorporates features of both heavy rail and
trams. Whilst it runs at the speed of a traditional railway on the segregated
lines from Altrincham and Bury, its design allows for the flexibility of a tram
through the city.
The line from Cornbrook to Eccles via Salford Quays extends these benefits
further by fully integrating with street traffic along a large part of the
route. This versatility has resulted in a high speed, frequent and convenient
mode of transport which quickly won a phenomenal loyalty from customers.
Metrolink is a hybrid (neither tram nor heavy rail) but it was quickly
christened by the public as a tram.
Phase 1 of Metrolink was the beginning of an expanding network.
The line comprises:
- 9 stops located on each of the Altrincham and Bury lines
- 7 stops in the city centre
- 15.9 km from Bury to Victoria
- 10.4 km from Altrincham to GMex
- 3.8km of city centre track
Whilst the segregated line utilizes existing ex British Rail stations, the
city centre route has adapted stops serving the major facilities including
shopping, the commercial centre, theatres, China Town and the main line railway
stations located at Piccadilly, Victoria and Deansgate (GMex).
Phase 2 serves the new commercial development at Salford Quays with its
prestigious office blocks and growing leisure industry. It carries on to the
town of Eccles in the North West serving the residential area along Eccles New
Road.
The total network is approximately 37 km long with 37 stops (17 former
British Rail Stations,
17 new and 3 shared mainline stations (Victoria, Piccadilly and
Altrincham)
There are 32 Light Rail Vehicles.
The system is used daily by around 52,000 passengers, and annually by 18.8m
passengers.
Research has suggested that at least 2 million car journeys have been taken
off the road each year along the Metrolink corridor.
