Manchester Metrolink
Tram system in Greater Manchester
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We include updates on Piccadilly Gardens tram stop, Ashton-under-Lyne tram stop, Old Trafford tram stop, Trafford Bar tram stop, Flexity Swift, Firema T-68, Bombardier M5000, Bury Line, Altrincham Line, Eccles Line, Oldham and Rochdale Line, Trafford Park Line, Stockport railway station, Drake Street tram stop, Woodhouse Park tram stop, Haveley tram stop ... and more.
| 2024 | Manchester Metrolink operates 147 trams and has recovered to 42 million passenger journeys, with passenger revenue reaching £81.1 million. |
| September 2024 | Special Purpose Vehicle 1027 and support wagon 1028 were offered for sale. |
| 2023 | Passenger revenue reached £81.1 million, with 42.0 million passengers using the tram service, and the fleet size remained at 147 trams. |
| September 2023 | The number of ticket inspectors onboard trams was increased following the Bee Network's launch, with penalty fares for fare evasion also increasing. |
| January 2023 | Both Special Purpose Vehicle 1027 and support wagon 1028 were withdrawn from service. |
| 2022 | Manchester Metrolink expanded its fleet to 147 trams and recorded 36.0 million passenger journeys, showing significant recovery from the pandemic-induced downturn. |
| 2022 | Completed the removal of Two Aspect colour signals, with the Altrincham Line between Timperley and Altrincham remaining under Network Rail control and unable to fully convert to Line Of Sight signalling. |
| October 2022 | Completed delivery of the 27 additional M5000 trams, bringing the total fleet to 147 trams. |
| July 2022 | Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) received initial funding to develop the Pathfinder North tram-train project, including approval to purchase up to seven new tram-train vehicles to run the service connecting Oldham, Rochdale, Heywood, and Bury. |
| June 2022 | A Unimog road-rail vehicle was added to the fleet to support infrastructure inspection and maintenance activities. |
| 2021 | Passenger numbers remained significantly below pre-pandemic levels during the 2021/22 year. |
| September 2021 | An additional weekly cap was introduced for contactless fares. |
| September 6 2021 | Shaw and Crompton–East Didsbury enhanced service route resumed following pandemic disruptions. |
| August 2021 | Normal service temporarily removed again due to staff self-isolation. |
| August 31 2021 | Altrincham–Bury direct enhanced service route resumed following pandemic disruptions. |
| 2020 | Another survey conducted, finding that 59% of passengers felt Metrolink provided value for money. |
| 2020 | Metrolink fares were frozen, ending the previous practice of annual fare increases above inflation. |
| 2020 | Manchester Metrolink's financial activities were severely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, resulting in a significant reduction in passenger numbers and fare income. The shortfall was compensated by a grant from the UK Department for Transport. |
| 2020 | Metrolink took delivery of a Zephir Crab 2100E battery-powered vehicle at Queens Road depot to replace the Special Purpose Vehicle. |
| November 2020 | Began delivering the additional 27 M5000 trams ordered in July 2018. |
| March 2020 | On-board Wi-Fi service was suspended indefinitely. |
| March 2020 | On board Wi-Fi services were suspended indefinitely across the Metrolink network. |
| March 2020 | Early morning Metrolink services supporting airport shift workers were removed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. |
| March 22 2020 | The Trafford Park Line extension was opened, connecting from an unspecified location to The Trafford Centre. |
| 2019 | Reached peak pre-pandemic performance with 43.7 million passenger journeys and passenger revenue of £82.1 million. |
| 2019 | Detailed research began on the accessibility campaign for Manchester Metrolink. |
| November 2019 | First test tram ran between Pomona and Village stops on the new Trafford Park Line. |
| January 13 2019 | A new fare system using four concentric zones was implemented. |
| 2018 | The tram system reached 41.2 million passenger journeys and maintained a fleet of 120 trams. |
| July 2018 | Metrolink ordered an additional 27 M5000 trams to help relieve overcrowding on the network. |
| July 2018 | An additional 27 M5000 trams were ordered to help relieve overcrowding on the network. |
| July 15 2017 | KeolisAmey Metrolink, a joint venture between Keolis and Amey, began operating and maintaining Manchester Metrolink under a contract initially set for up to ten years. |
| February 2017 | The Second City Crossing (2CC) route was fully opened, completing a new tram route that runs from St Peter's Square through Princess Street, Albert Square, Cross Street, and Corporation Street, reconnecting to the original Metrolink line near Victoria station. |
| January 2017 | Keolis/Amey consortium was announced as the successful bidder for the Metrolink operating and maintenance contract. |
| January 2017 | Enabling works began for the Trafford Park Line construction. |
| 2016 | Follow-up survey demonstrated further improvements, with 90% of respondents satisfied with their journey. 62% now felt the service was value for money, though still the lowest ranking among six surveyed systems. |
| October 2016 | Completed delivery of the 16 trams ordered in September 2014, bringing the Manchester Metrolink fleet to 120 trams. |
| October 2016 | Transport & Works Act Order granted for the 3.4 mile Trafford Park Line, which includes six new tram stops serving locations like Old Trafford Stadium, Imperial War Museum, and Trafford Palazzo. |
| January 2016 | Transport for Greater Manchester agreed on a baseline Service Specification to grade bidders for operating the concession from July 2017, following the Second City Crossing's completion. |
| 2015 | Transport Focus survey showed improved passenger satisfaction, with 89% of passengers reporting being 'very' or 'fairly' satisfied with their journey, an increase from 83% in 2013. 58% felt the service was value for money. |
| 2015 | The network expanded its tram fleet to 109 trams and increased passenger journeys to 31.2 million, with passenger revenue rising to £56.8 million. |
| December 6 2015 | Second City Crossing is completed, adding another route through Manchester's urban core with a connection between Exchange Square and the existing network. |
| 2014 | Manchester Metrolink recorded 29.2 million passenger journeys and had 93 trams in operation by the end of the financial year. |
| 2014 | A new scheme was introduced allowing mobility scooters on Metrolink trams, subject to obtaining a permit after an assessment of the scooter's size and maneuverability. |
| 2014 | Construction of the Second City Crossing (2CC) route began, involving laying new tram tracks across Manchester City Centre to alleviate congestion and improve network capacity. |
| November 2014 | Phase 3b was completed with the opening of the Airport Line, extending routes to Ashton-under-Lyne, East Didsbury, Oldham, and Rochdale town centres. |
| November 3 2014 | Airport Line is inaugurated, directly connecting Manchester Airport to the city's tram network. |
| September 2014 | Ordered 16 more M5000 trams, with the final tram of this order delivered in October 2016, bringing the fleet size to 120 trams. |
| April 2014 | Final withdrawal of T-68 and T-68A trams from service, completing the fleet replacement with M5000 trams. |
| 2013 | Passenger Focus survey ranked Manchester Metrolink as having the lowest overall satisfaction rating among five major UK light rail systems. Only 47% of respondents believed the service provided value for money, compared to a national average of 60%. |
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