Increasing numbers of passengers are using Greater Manchester Metrolink services and, as a result, more frequent and extended services will be introduced, along with the continuation of late-night trams.

Passenger demand on the Altrincham to Bury line has already reached pre-pandemic levels.

However, passenger numbers across the entire network recovered to pre-pandemic levels in the run up to Christmas.  In the week commencing Monday 11 December, 940,000 trips were made while, on Wednesday 6 December, 160,000 trips were made in a single day.

As a result, the timetable for services between Etihad Campus and Manchester City centre will be revised from Tuesday 2 January 2024 and will see a six-minute services from 07:00 to the end of service.  This will be achieved by extending Altrincham to Piccadilly services to the Etihad Campus after the end of the peak service between MediaCity UK and Etihad Campus. The extended services from Altrincham will run after 20:00 Monday to Friday, after 18:30 on Saturdays and all day on Sundays.

To satisfy increased demand between Altrincham and Bury, the number of trams in operation will be increased.  Double trams will operate on the new service between Altrincham and Etihad Campus after 18:30. Double trams will also operate from start of service on the Bury to Piccadilly and Altrincham to Piccadilly services.  Sundays will see a mixture of double and single trams, with mostly double trams running between Altrincham and Etihad Campus and Bury to Piccadilly.

The popular late-night tram services, reintroduced in September, will continue to run until 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.  Several double trams will operate between Altrincham and Etihad Campus, Bury to Piccadilly and on services to East Didsbury.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “I am delighted that Metrolink will be introducing extra capacity and frequency onto the Altrincham and Bury Metrolink lines, which provides a vital connection for people travelling between the north and south of our region.

“These changes, combined with the late-night trams, will provide a real boost to regular passengers while also presenting a compelling case for those who perhaps don’t travel on trams as frequently to use Metrolink, which plays a central role in our integrated Bee Network public transport system.”

Danny Vaughan, Transport for Greater Manchester’s (TfGM) Head of Metrolink, added: “With demand for services on the Altrincham and Bury lines increasing, this new timetable will provide the frequency and capacity needed to meet, sustain and continue to grow patronage on these routes.

“This shows that TfGM and the Metrolink operator are committed to enhancing the service for the benefit of our customers.”