As far as I’m aware, the only trams to Ashton on non match days, are the Eccles- Ashton ones.
There’s always been additional ones on match days. I noticed when I used to get on at Deansgste occasionally, that they would have specials lined up on the middle platform, terminating at the ground.
Not sure if they still run, as they regularly seem to run both to Eccles and Altrincham after the game these days, so I assume they come from Alti before the game also.
Yeah, on second thoughts, I looked the frequency on the metrolink website and it said every 12 minutes across the network. Deffo more frequent than that during rush hour on the Alty line.Unless your commute is very early in the morning or very late at night, there is always a 6 minute frequency on the Altrinham line that goes past Stretford.
Was wondering if this was case. Can’t say I’ve ever felt that at cornbrook or getting on at the Etihad. Certainly remember 12 minute waits post match.Before 8pm - Eccles-Ashton every 12 mins and Media City to Etihad every 12 mins so a 6 minute service between the two
After 8pm - Eccles - Ashton every 12 mins and Altrincham to Ethad every 12 mins so a 6 minute service betwen the two...
Occasionally there are crowd-buster additional services as well...
Makes sense re: merrill street.In reality this is the issue. The Etihad is just 3 stops from Manchester’s main train station and has the problem of Merrill Street where cars and pedestrians are funnelled alongside the trams whereas the swamp is quite some distance away from Piccadilly/Victoria and the shared road parts are much wider. Adding more trams alone would probably make the situation worse, it needs Merrill Street addressing first.
It’s a pity they didn’t put the tram turnback facility at New Islington with a terminus platform (lose those car parks), instead of just after Piccadilly. Many fans would just walk the two stops to the game from there at about 1 mile. As it is, everyone has to change at PG or the station causing overcrowding on those platforms.
That said, the facilities that come with the new stand might resolve some of the long queues after the game. I think everyone is waiting to see how this all works out before looking at costly public infrastructure changes.