Metrolink to / from Etihad

[BringBackSwales]

I think you're

I think you're seriously underestimating the number of supporters in the post match tram queue who then pack the trains that go through Stockport

It's also the biggest reason for the early leavers because it's the only way to beat the queue.

Also, whilst I agree about the lack of suitable pubs around the Etihad we've still got a huge proportion of 65+ fans who just want to get home,

Allegedly we all have to get back to Stockport after games

 

[heslops barnet]

Public transport to Etihad is just a shitshow, end of

 

[Scaring Europe to Death]

Allegedly we all have to get back to Stockport after games

Funnily enough I'm at an old drinkers reunion on Saturday and will be supping in your old haunt the Horseshoe

 

[BringBackSwales]

Funnily enough I'm at an old drinkers reunion on Saturday and will be supping in your old haunt the Horseshoe

Are you psychic or have I mentioned the horseshoe before? I used to frequent it as a 15 year old in 1974 until about 1977 (I did return home a few times within that timeframe), old Charlie Henthorn didn’t ask to see any id!

 

[Scaring Europe to Death]

I’m 75+ and that is exactly what I want to do

Exactly!

I only live 15 miles away from the ETIHAD so it shouldn't be taking more than two hours to get home. However, it will do, if I queue for the tram rather than walk/run to Piccadilly

For almost 30 Years I was involved in Market Research Demographics, and we worked on a number of projects for football clubs, including one for Barcelona as they wanted to measure the potential growth of City's national support when compared with our traditional grassroots demographic.

There is one particular demographic (East Cheshire/North Derbyshire males born in the mid 60s) where there are more City fans than United fans

Sadly, that's just a fact that doesn't really interest the club, as the new wave of tourists/casual/younger supporters will inevitably buy the memberships and souvenirs.

These new fans will spend the whole day at the ETIHAD and then stay in Manchester for the evening.
They're not bothered about the metrolink. In fact, some of them won't know that it exists.

 

[blue b4 the moon]

For the Sunderland game I drove to Navigation Road tram stop at 1pm and when I arrived on the platform there was a tram due to Bury in 2 minutes the next tram was going to Piccadilly.

Both trams were single units so I caught the Bury tram and got off at Cornbrook. An Etihad tram was due in 2 minutes and low and behold that was also a single unit. You can imagine the state of overcrowding as people tried to get on at Deansgate, St Peter’s Square, the Gardens and the Station.

The people running this dreadful service are irresponsible and completely incompetent.

A PL football match and Christmas Markets and they stick on SINGLE units, bloody criminal.

Instead of blowing smoke up his own arse about the wonderful transport systems available and banning parking within a reasonable distance from the ground Manchester's Mayor should get off said arse and do a few routes before & after our games to see what's actually being delivered.

I drive and walk 1.5 miles each way after parking up and not in his catchment area so i can't vote the fucker out but, blues should use their vote accordingly.

 

[Roachy]

I am walking back to town when they are walking to the Etihad tram stop, and standing still in the queue. That is why the majority of fans walk back to the City centre. Trams / heavy rail are designed to get people from the suburbs into Manchester and out.

That is one of the functions of Metrolink, not the sole function. It seems you're missing the point though. Of course it can be quicker to walk back to town, I do it myself. It's not quicker to walk from St. Peters Sq to the Etihad though, which is what the OP was saying. Even if it was, that would only support what we are stating, and that is the service pre and post match are largely inadequate.

 

[Citizen of Legoland]

Instead of blowing smoke up his own arse about the wonderful transport systems available and banning parking within a reasonable distance from the ground Manchester's Mayor should get off said arse and do a few routes before & after our games to see what's actually being delivered.

I drive and walk 1.5 miles each way after parking up and not in his catchment area so i can't vote the fucker out but, blues should use their vote accordingly.

Points of Order

It was the council who decided to introduce the residential parking zones so it’s probably the leader who you should be accusing there. Unless you’re targeting the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Carmine Grimshaw, who’s a fellow blue. That said the role is largely ceremonial and the decision on parking was prior to his appointment in the role anyway.

 

[blue b4 the moon]

Points of Order

It was the council who decided to introduce the residential parking zones so it’s probably the leader who you should be accusing there. Unless you’re targeting the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Carmine Grimshaw, who’s a fellow blue. That said the role is largely ceremonial and the decision on parking was prior to his appointment in the role anyway.

Fair comment, the rest of the post still stands.

 

[carlosthejackal]

Used the tram from Piccadilly to Ashton this afternoon, three trams in the space of eleven minutes going to the Etihad !! The Ashton one that I was on and the other two terminated at the Etihad . Yet on match days I’ve been stood for fifteen minutes waiting for one .

 

[Blue Mist]

Used the tram from Piccadilly to Ashton this afternoon, three trams in the space of eleven minutes going to the Etihad !! The Ashton one that I was on and the other two terminated at the Etihad . Yet on match days I’ve been stood for fifteen minutes waiting for one .

It's as though the Fat Controller is a rag.

 

[Northerndave]

I could hang around at the stadium until after 6pm, then get a direct tram to Altrincham. Would definitely consider that when the weather improves in the Spring.

And when our new fanzone opens up after the game, it should allow a more even spacing of fans after he match.....as well as somewhere dry to shelter in

 

[jockblue]

And when our new fanzone opens up after the game, it should allow a more even spacing of fans after he match.....as well as somewhere dry to shelter in

One thing that could demonstrate that the club understand would be to review the pricing of drinks at the fanzone. If they start down the Co-op Live pricing, no-one will bother and they will have wasted an opportunity. However, a chance for a pint whilst the queues die down around the £5 mark would attract a lot of punters.

 

[shnaghaicityfish]

One thing that could demonstrate that the club understand would be to review the pricing of drinks at the fanzone. If they start down the Co-op Live pricing, no-one will bother and they will have wasted an opportunity. However, a chance for a pint whilst the queues die down around the £5 mark would attract a lot of punters.

The prematch drinks in the Coop Live fanzone are the same price as in the stadium (except no SC discount)?

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

Always thought it would be worth building a giants terminus turntable as a new centrepiece for Piccadilly Gardens?

A bit like how a driveway terminus works for a car?

Could easily have trams waiting like rolling stock on each branch of it.

Perhaps trams terminating at Piccadilly and just heading back to Etihad on matchday a lot quicker would solve lots of issues.

If anyone has visited the Falkirk Wheel, they can appreciate engineering solutions which are also iconic.

That, or can we just nuke Piccadilly Gardens, anyhow?

 

[Marvin.]

That is one of the functions of Metrolink, not the sole function. It seems you're missing the point though. Of course it can be quicker to walk back to town, I do it myself. It's not quicker to walk from St. Peters Sq to the Etihad though, which is what the OP was saying. Even if it was, that would only support what we are stating, and that is the service pre and post match are largely inadequate.

That theory works if the tram has an unlimited capacity.

 

[Bluearmy]

Sorry, what I meant is that even if there was a Metrolink line to Stockport, you’d still be better off getting the Met to Piccadilly and the train to Stockport because Mets are so slow for long distance cross-city travel that you’d still get home more quickly on the train.

Is it still a 12-15 minute journey from Picc to Stockport? Even with the Met queue at the Etihad you’d still beat the Met home. You’d be talking 1h on the proposed Didsbury extension to Stockport on the Met. Maybe more because you’d have to change at Cornbrook so don’t know how long you’d be waiting there between Mets.

You have a point but the Rail was a joke on Saturday also. I got on a Bus outside of South Stand (as was raining), took 50 odd mins to get to Lever/Oldham Street way.

Platform 13/14 at about 6.45pm on Saturday was also a shambles. Its a complete clusterfuck

 

[ysmsa]

For the Sunderland game I drove to Navigation Road tram stop at 1pm and when I arrived on the platform there was a tram due to Bury in 2 minutes the next tram was going to Piccadilly.

Both trams were single units so I caught the Bury tram and got off at Cornbrook. An Etihad tram was due in 2 minutes and low and behold that was also a single unit. You can imagine the state of overcrowding as people tried to get on at Deansgate, St Peter’s Square, the Gardens and the Station.

The people running this dreadful service are irresponsible and completely incompetent.

A PL football match and Christmas Markets and they stick on SINGLE units, bloody criminal.

Honestly mate, try the match day bus from Alty or Timperley Village.

Metrolink has it's uses but it is not the only option.

 

[Citizen of Legoland]

Always thought it would be worth building a giants terminus turntable as a new centrepiece for Piccadilly Gardens?

A bit like how a driveway terminus works for a car?

Could easily have trams waiting like rolling stock on each branch of it.

Perhaps trams terminating at Piccadilly and just heading back to Etihad on matchday a lot quicker would solve lots of issues.

If anyone has visited the Falkirk Wheel, they can appreciate engineering solutions which are also iconic.

That, or can we just nuke Piccadilly Gardens, anyhow?

I’ve sometimes wondered if a shuttle service running for an hour or so between town and the Etihad would work but I think the shared section down Merrill Street would just prevent a frequent enough service. Plus turning trams back would be problematic, maybe only Victoria would have the capability.

 

[Citizen of Legoland]

One thing that could demonstrate that the club understand would be to review the pricing of drinks at the fanzone. If they start down the Co-op Live pricing, no-one will bother and they will have wasted an opportunity. However, a chance for a pint whilst the queues die down around the £5 mark would attract a lot of punters.

Whenever I have queued for the tram after the match, quite rarely tbh, it’s really grim. If they added some big screens to watch highlights and interviews, better cover from the elements and toilet facilities nearby it would be a start. Maybe seating and a hot drink stand as well.

I still have a problem with the overcrowding though.