Manchester Metrolink (or usually just Metrolink) is the name of the tram system in Greater Manchester, England. The system is owned by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), which used to be called the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive. It is operated under contract by KeolisAmey Metrolink[4].
| Metrolink | |
|---|---|
 Bombardier M5000 at Exchange Quay tram stop in August 2011 | |
 Schematic map of Metrolink | |
| Overview | |
| Owner | Transport for Greater Manchester |
| Area served | Greater Manchester - (Bury, Rochdale, Oldham, Ashton-under-Lyne, Salford, Altricham, Stockport (Limited) |
| Locale | Greater Manchester |
| Transit type | Tram/Light rail |
| Number of lines | 8 |
| Number of stations | 99 |
| Headquarters | Metrolink Trafford Depot Warwick Road South Stretford Manchester M16 0GZ |
| Website | www |
| Operation | |
| Began operation | 6 April 1992 |
| Operator(s) | KeolisAmey Metrolink[1] |
| Number of vehicles | 147 Bombardier M5000[2][3] |
| Train length | 28.4 metres (93 ft) |
| Technical | |
| System length | 64 miles (103 km)[2] |
| Electrification | 750 V DC overhead line[1] |
| Top speed | 50 miles per hour (80 km/h) |
History
change
The construction of Manchester's railway network in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries created many termini around the City Centre, which were not connected. This left large areas of Manchester disconnected from the railway network.
For many years, there were plans to connect Manchester's two main railway stations: Piccadilly and Victoria. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, a plan for a "Picc-Vic tunnel" was proposed to carry main-line trains under the city centre.[5] However, the project was abandoned due to high costs.
Metrolink was later created by converting two British Rail lines—one to Altrincham (south) and another to Bury (north)—into a light rail system. These lines were linked through the city centre, where trams run on the streets, and included a short branch to Piccadilly railway station. This first section of the system opened in 1992, and a line to Eccles followed in 2001.
Numerous extensions have since opened, with more being built or proposed. Metrolink now serves Didsbury, Ashton-under-Lyne, Oldham, Rochdale, MediaCityUK, and Manchester Airport. These expansions increased the system’s length from 37 km to 97 km with 99 stops.[6][7]
In 2017, a second city centre route opened, serving Exchange Square, followed by a new line to the Trafford Centre shopping mall. Plans are also in place for tram-train lines to Stockport and other locations in Greater Manchester. By 2040, the network is expected to double in size.[8]
Lines and stops
change| Colour | Route | Operating hours |
|---|---|---|
| Altrincham–
Bury via Market Street |
Mon–Sat daytime[a]
| |
| Altrincham– | Mon–Sun all‑day[b]
| |
| Altrincham–
Etihad Campus via Piccadilly |
| |
| Ashton-under-Lyne–
Eccles (via MediaCityUK) |
Mon–Sun all‑day[b]
| |
| Etihad Campus–
MediaCityUK via Piccadilly |
Mon–Sat daytime[a] | |
| Bury–Piccadilly | Mon–Sun all‑day[b] | |
| East Didsbury–
Rochdale Town Centre via Exchange Square and Oldham |
Mon–Sun all‑day[b] | |
| East Didsbury–
Shaw and Crompton via Exchange Square |
Mon–Sat daytime[a] | |
| The Trafford Centre– | Mon–Sun all‑day[b] | |
| Manchester Airport–
Victoria via Market Street |
Mon–Sun all‑day[b] |
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Daytime services run 07:15–19:30 on weekdays (except bank holidays) and 09:30–18:00 on Saturdays.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 All-day services run 06:00–23:30 Mondays to Thursdays, 06:00–00:30 Fridays and Saturdays, and 07:00–22:30 Sundays and bank holidays.
- ↑ Evening services run 19:30–23:30 on weekdays (except bank holidays) and 18:00–22:30 on Saturdays.
References
change- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cite error: The named reference
taut 2021-07was used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page). - ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Light rail and tram statistics, England: year ending March 2024". GOV.UK. Department for Transport. 17 September 2024. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
- ↑ "Manchester Metrolink M5000 order complete". Railways Illustrated. No. 238. December 2022. p. 13.
- ↑ "KeolisAmey Metrolink Tram | Manchester Metrolink | Keolis UK Brands". Keolis. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
- ↑ SELNEC (October 1971), SELNEC Picc-Vic Line, SELNEC publicity brochure
- ↑ "Tram line extension is approved". BBC News. 2009-05-13. Retrieved 2009-05-17.
- ↑ "Metrolink: back on track?". BBC Manchester. 2009-05-13. Retrieved 2009-05-17.
- ↑ Wilkinson, Damon (2023-07-23). "The 12 maps which show how Metrolink has changed over the years". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
- ↑ "Route Map". Transport for Greater Manchester. 19 January 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
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