Metrolink to / from Etihad

[Gray]

I hate the trams myself but the performance of Metrolink is way above that of the trains as far as I can tell. We have a poor service to the Etihad for various reasons and it won’t change much until better infrastructure is built which will be a while. He’s not sat on a pot of money to fix that.

Your second point feels like it would fit better in the politics thread. Part of his job is to be visible to the voters, demonstrate the work he is trying to do and point out issues affecting his area of influence. Not sure how he can do this without using the media.

A completely different subject regarding the trams. Was stuck at Trafford Bar one afternoon two Thursdays ago on my way back to Altrincham while they struggled to get a broken down tram into the nearby depot and had an interesting conversation with an off duty driver on his way back to that depot.

He told me that Bombardier who make the trams for TfGM were stopping production on the special trams required to run on our network (raised boggies to cope with old BR platforms), and nobody at this moment in time had a solution to the inevitable problems that would cause.

I hope all those concerned are on the ball and are aware of this.

 

[paulchapo]

The issue with tram capacity on match days is partly caused by able bodied people making unecessary journeys to and from the city centre that they could walk. The trams always get heaving between Piccadilly Gardens & Piccadilly & Etihad Campus, whereas it's easy to walk these journeys in 25-30 minutes. The key should be better signage & more information on these walking routes, freeing up capacity on the trams for those making longer journeys.
Once the Co-op arena opens, there needs to be a better alternative, maybe by opening a heavy rail station on the Ashburys to Victoria line, or a tram or bus link over to Central Park.

I've walked it a fair few times and although not in my first flush of youth it's quite a slog. I'm okay until I get just over halfway the realise there's still a fair bit to go. Also the usual crap weather isn't encouragement for people to walk.

 

[Gray]

I've walked it a fair few times and although not in my first flush of youth it's quite a slog. I'm okay until I get just over halfway the realise there's still a fair bit to go. Also the usual crap weather isn't encouragement for people to walk.

I have walked it a few time and as you say it is a slog, got to the Etihad one day and was soaked wet through so not done it since.

 

[staffsblue]

I've walked it a fair few times and although not in my first flush of youth it's quite a slog. I'm okay until I get just over halfway the realise there's still a fair bit to go. Also the usual crap weather isn't encouragement for people to walk.

I walk all the time if I'm heading to and from trains from Piccadilly. Yes, it's a bit of a pain getting wet when it's rainy, but a decent bit of outdoor clothing offsets that.
I do use the tram when I'm stopping over at my mate's place in Castlefield as he has mobility issues. However it perplexes me when people are whinging in the queue about how long it is taking, then get off in town, when they could have walked back in less time than they have queued.

 

[Citizen of Legoland]

Put it like this I contacted him (his office) some time ago to complain about the Metrolink service witha special emphasis on overcrowding. My correspondence clearly showed my gender as Male but the waffling reply from some minion was addressed Dear Madam. Now I expect a sarcastic reply from you, but it will be water off a ducks back to me.

He could be doing more but he is an Evertonian so other things will be more important to him at this moment in time.

I wasn't being sarcastic and I didn't know I was particularly renowned for being so.

You're free to vote for someone else next time if you think they'll be better, and maybe they will be (history suggests otherwise), but I think he's at least started the ball rolling on changes which hopefully will take GM public transport in a similar direction to what London has evolved into. It'll never be perfect of course, even today I have heard of Londoners unhappy with their new shiny billion pound cross-rail service, but at least there seems like a plan. I'll judge him on progress of course and what sees the light of day but these things take a long time it seems. I just think describing him as useless is premature but of course I've had no personal dealings with him like you have.

 

[Citizen of Legoland]

I've walked it a fair few times and although not in my first flush of youth it's quite a slog. I'm okay until I get just over halfway the realise there's still a fair bit to go. Also the usual crap weather isn't encouragement for people to walk.

That's the problem at the moment. Apart from road vehicles and the crowded tram the options are Ashburys (0.75 mile), Piccadilly or Central Park (1.5 miles) and Victoria (2 miles). Those distances are just too far to expect a lot of people to walk. Even re-opening Park station probably isn't worth it because that's nearly a mile.

 

[LongsightM13]

Maybe now the buses are being centralised again they could introduce direct matchday special services from the outlying areas? They’ll probably have to do something similar anyway once the Ashton line closes for a season for the HS2 works

 

[paulchapo]

I walk all the time if I'm heading to and from trains from Piccadilly. Yes, it's a bit of a pain getting wet when it's rainy, but a decent bit of outdoor clothing offsets that.
I do use the tram when I'm stopping over at my mate's place in Castlefield as he has mobility issues. However it perplexes me when people are whinging in the queue about how long it is taking, then get off in town, when they could have walked back in less time than they have queued.

Yes I won't get the tram back. If I get transport it's the bus. I think people in the queue hope they will get lucky and it moves quickly but that rarely happens. Another problem with walking is due to being wrapped up against the cold you're wringing wet with sweat when you get there.

 

[paulchapo]

I have walked it a few time and as you say it is a slog, got to the Etihad one day and was soaked wet through so not done it since.

It's further than people imagine, it's only when you're halfway there you realise that. Perhaps they could hire a load of those e bikes or scooters for the journey.

 

[kippax_blueboy]

I get the tram there and walk back into town after the game. Takes 15-20 minutes to walk to Piccadilly.