Metrolink to / from Etihad

[Gray]

The single units back to Altrincham are just crazy. They shuttle people back from the Etihad on trams bound for Bury, Eccles and Trafford Bar. The Altrincham bound passengers leave these trams mainly at Piccadilly, but also at other stops up to Trafford Bar.

Then an empty single unit arrives from the turn-round track just beyond Piccadilly and it is rammed full before it even sets off.

Metrolink must be aware of the problem but the fact they do nothing to rectify it is gross misconduct on their part. We have a Covid epidemic on our hands and not everybody is wearing a mask, there is also the possibility that if they don’t act somebody Is eventually going to get crushed.

 

[Gray]

I have this morning written to Metrolink about the single units back to Altrincham, I expect nothing but waffle as a response.

Next step will be the Mayor for Greater Manchester who I have tried previously and got a generic response. Third step will be my MP who I expect will be the only one to show any concern at all.

 

[staffsblue]

The single units back to Altrincham are just crazy. They shuttle people back from the Etihad on trams bound for Bury, Eccles and Trafford Bar. The Altrincham bound passengers leave these trams mainly at Piccadilly, but also at other stops up to Trafford Bar.

Then an empty single unit arrives from the turn-round track just beyond Piccadilly and it is rammed full before it even sets off.

Metrolink must be aware of the problem but the fact they do nothing to rectify it is gross misconduct on their part. We have a Covid epidemic on our hands and not everybody is wearing a mask, there is also the possibility that if they don’t act somebody Is eventually going to get crushed.

The problem with evening games & Alty seem to be that the Bury - Alty direct service stops running after the evening peak meaning service frequency drops from every 6 to every 12 minutes from St Peters Square onwards. The former all seem to be double sets too.
Depending on set availability, they could switch the double sets from Alty to Piccadilly rather than Alty to Bury on match days.
I guess the issue at the moment is the Xmas markets which makes everything busy throughout the day.

 

[Gray]

I have this morning written to Metrolink about the single units back to Altrincham, I expect nothing but waffle as a response.

Their response:-

Good afternoon

Thank you for your email.

I am sorry that you have had to contact us to complain about the service after a football event

Currently due to the Delta and Omicron Virus we are unable to staff the services that are required for special events, same as transport companies and the HGV Industry. During the height of the epidemic we were not able to recruit for new Drivers as Governmental restrictions prevented us from doing so. It is quite a lengthy process to recruit drivers

A Manchester City Match requires 113 vehicles to provide double units on the Eccles – Ashton Route and the standard contractual Timetable. This is without any “Special” services in addition to the Double units on the Ashton Line. Unfortunately due to the Timetable, logistics and infrastructure we are not able to increase the frequency or put any more vehicles out on any other lines to help with capacity issues.

Unfortunately we cannot stop people from boarding the Trams , it is an open Network, and it is the individuals choice whether they board the tram or not.
If the individual feels it is not safe to board the Tram then there is always the option to wait for a service that is less busy.

We are acutely aware of the issues and are working to rectify this as are all other industries. Due to vandalism and other factors there are circa 10 % of the vehicle fleet not available for service, we are also low on workshop staff as they are being hit with Covid

There is never any intention to delay or cause inconveniences to our fare paying passengers as we have nothing to gain by doing so.
Again thank you for contacting Metrolink customer services

Regards

Martine Lunn

Customer Services

My query was in regards to not using double units it never said anything about staffing. If they had no staff then we wouldn't have even got a single unit, is it any wonder we get pissed off with Metrolink. Also this problem was happening long before they had Covid to fall back on as an excuse, they are a pathetic company.

 

[Bluearmy]

If you’d walked to town, better off getting the train to Alty I reckon, honestly.

Yeah, might be worth another try. Its patchy service wise also at times. Last time i tried, it got cancelled and then there’s an hours wait for the next one/packed/bus replacement.

 

[Blue Mist]

Hmmm 48000 people leaving a stadium. One station. Now I wonder why there are queues. Instead of waiting for your Royal Quadruple Tram with your velvet cushioned seat, here's an idea, If youre able bodied, walk into town. By the time you do the trams are less full and you'll have done yourself some good.

That is always given as the answer BUT it is wrong. I walk into town and go to Piccadilly, here I am joined by people coming from the ground and we ALL wait for the single unit tram to Altrincham. By the time it is at Piccadilly Gardens it is rammed, so all the theatre goers, shoppers, boozers AND match going fans who try to get on at other stations can't.
They have been allowed to expand way beyond what they are capable of servicing. It is a shit show.

 

[Deleted member 77198]

Their response:-

Good afternoon

Thank you for your email.

I am sorry that you have had to contact us to complain about the service after a football event

Currently due to the Delta and Omicron Virus we are unable to staff the services that are required for special events, same as transport companies and the HGV Industry. During the height of the epidemic we were not able to recruit for new Drivers as Governmental restrictions prevented us from doing so. It is quite a lengthy process to recruit drivers

A Manchester City Match requires 113 vehicles to provide double units on the Eccles – Ashton Route and the standard contractual Timetable. This is without any “Special” services in addition to the Double units on the Ashton Line. Unfortunately due to the Timetable, logistics and infrastructure we are not able to increase the frequency or put any more vehicles out on any other lines to help with capacity issues.

Unfortunately we cannot stop people from boarding the Trams , it is an open Network, and it is the individuals choice whether they board the tram or not.
If the individual feels it is not safe to board the Tram then there is always the option to wait for a service that is less busy.

We are acutely aware of the issues and are working to rectify this as are all other industries. Due to vandalism and other factors there are circa 10 % of the vehicle fleet not available for service, we are also low on workshop staff as they are being hit with Covid

There is never any intention to delay or cause inconveniences to our fare paying passengers as we have nothing to gain by doing so.
Again thank you for contacting Metrolink customer services

Regards

Martine Lunn

Customer Services

My query was in regards to not using double units it never said anything about staffing. If they had no staff then we wouldn't have even got a single unit, is it any wonder we get pissed off with Metrolink. Also this problem was happening long before they had Covid to fall back on as an excuse, they are a pathetic company.

Fair play to them for replying so quickly, but it seems like they’ve not read your email.

Surely a double Met only needs the same number of drivers as a single unit?

 

[GaudinoMotors]

That is always given as the answer BUT it is wrong. I walk into town and go to Piccadilly, here I am joined by people coming from the ground and we ALL wait for the single unit tram to Altrincham. By the time it is at Piccadilly Gardens it is rammed, so all the theatre goers, shoppers, boozers AND match going fans who try to get on at other stations can't.
They have been allowed to expand way beyond what they are capable of servicing. It is a shit show.

Walk to St Peter's. Can't speak for the Altrinchan line, but works for Didsbury.

 

[chesterbells]

Yeah, might be worth another try. Its patchy service wise also at times. Last time i tried, it got cancelled and then there’s an hours wait for the next one/packed/bus replacement.

I know what you mean pal - quite a few services were cancelled today (staff shortages).

 

[Blue Mist]

Walk to St Peter's. Can't speak for the Altrinchan line, but works for Didsbury.

Eh ? I stared quite clearly that by the time the Alty tram gets to St Peters Sq it is rammed and people can't get on. It is an utter joke. The Met was allowed to expand without showing how it could cope with the extra lines. They are still looking to open more routes, it is a political farce.