Manchester Metrolink is the most popular rapid transit system in Manchester, England. Centered in the city center, this urban light rail system serves the Greater Manchester area and offers its services to small towns like Eccles, Altrincham and Bury. The metrolink network in Manchester runs for a length of 37 kilometers. The contract for maintenance of Manchester metrolink has been given to The Stagecoach Group.
Construction of Manchester Metrolink – an interesting history
Manchester Government had plans to connect two main railway stations namely the Piccadilly Station in the south east city center and the Victoria station in the north. A plan to construct an underground Picc-Vic Tunnel was proposed, which was later abandoned on grounds of overburdening costs. In 1980, the Government proposed the construction of a light rail system which would connect Victoria Bury line to the Altrincham line via several on street lines and then subsequently link it to the Piccadilly station right at the city center.
Phase 1 of Manchester metrolink line began by joining two electric train lines in Altrincham and Cornbrook junction and between Bury and Manchester junction. Phase 1 of Manchester metrolink received a green signal on January 1988. Metrolink stretch between Bury and Victoria was opened for the public on April 6, 1992, between G-Mex and Victoria on April 27, 1992 and finally between G-Mex and Altrincham on June 15, 1992. Phase 1 of the system was completed and Queen Elizabeth II inaugurated it formally on July 17, 1992.
The work of Phase 2 commenced on April 25 1997, with extension of the Altrincham Line, from Cronbrook to Eccels via Salford Quays. Service extended to as far as Broadway on December 6, 1999 and then to Eccles on July 21, 2000. Officially, construction of this line was complete on January 9, 2001.
Permission for further extension was granted on October 2007. The 400 meter extension line would link Harbor City and Broadway to the central plaza of the
|
new Mediacity.
Transport interchange points in Manchester Metrolink route
Passenger rail interchange points are located all along the Manchester metrolink route at frequent intervals. Major rail interchanges are situated in the rail stations of Piccadilly, G-Mex, Victoria, Deansgate, Altrincham, Eccles and Navigation Road. Major bus interchange links are at Bury, Victoria, Altrincham, Piccadilly Gardens and Eccles stations.
Till today the Manchester metrolink has 37 stops consisting of 17 stops which were former British railway stations located in the Altrincham and Bury line. 17 new stops were constructed on the Phase 1 lines of the city center and also Phase 2 lines to Ecceles. Altrincham, Piccadilly and Victoria are the 3 shared mainline stations.
Routes of Manchester Metrolink
Metrolink's light rail vehicles operate from Piccadilly station to Altrincham, Bury and Ecceles from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays and other Bank Holidays, the routes from Piccadilly to Altrincham, Bury and Eccles are operational. On week days passengers can avail a direct route from bury to Altrincham avoiding Piccadilly. This route is not available on Sundays. Trams are available generally at intervals of 12 minutes.
Tickets of Manchester Metrolink
It is mandatory for the passengers to purchase the tickets of metrolink before travel. Tickets are available at the vending machines available in each of the metrolink stop. The fare depends on the number of zones traveled. Fares are higher in the peak period, which is before 9.30 am every morning.
Manchester Metrolink daily carry hundreds of passengers from one destination another, and is recognized as one of the most popular modes of public transport in Manchester.
|
