Metrolink to / from Etihad

[Jazzyblue]

They did experiment with a single, unannounced direct matchday service from both East Didsbury and Alty earlier in the season, usually departed about two hours before kick off. But no idea if they will be resuming. They weren’t promoted anywhere or even displayed accurately on the electronic boards, so it was a happy accident if you managed to catch one

Yep I live between the two lines, they were running direct to Ashton and Etihad and it was good if you could get one - though too rammed by the time it reached town (which only proves the demand). Then it disappeared with zero info and it turned out you had to go to all the way to Crumpsall on the Bury line to pick up one going East. It looks like people travelling from south Mcr tonight like myself will have to change at Market Street or Piccadilly Gardens from what I can see so far.

 

[Citizen of Legoland]

Yep I live between the two lines, they were running direct to Ashton and Etihad and it was good if you could get one - though too rammed by the time it reached town (which only proves the demand). Then it disappeared with zero info and it turned out you had to go to all the way to Crumpsall on the Bury line to pick up one going East. It looks like people travelling from south Mcr tonight like myself will have to change at Market Street or Piccadilly Gardens from what I can see so far.

The only scheduled direct services are from Eccles, those from Bury and Rochdale also have to change over onto one of the rammed trams using one of the rammed city centre platforms. It was all changed around 7 or 8 years ago I think when they were re-doing Victoria station. I remember sending an email to them when I worked in the city centre asking when the direct services were coming back (but they never responded). I have seen occasional direct services to Bury after the game but because I never know if they're running I don't look at the Metrolink anymore.

They built a new platform at Crumpsall which was designed for the Trafford Centre line (no scheduled services yet) but if they ran trams just from there to the Etihad I'd use it.

 

[Jazzyblue]

I have seen occasional direct services to Bury after the game but because I never know if they're running I don't look at the Metrolink anymore.

That's the weird thing - I've got direct services on the way back from games where there have been none on the way there. Bewildering set-up.

 

[Stephen230]

Now the Eccles line is finally back up and running all the regular Ashton ones are going from there again.

I noticed before one game just before the World Cup an empty double tram parked up at Deansgate, with Etihad on the front. Maybe that’s a new thing, that when they get the nod things are getting hectic up ahead, they send that through?

 

[Citizen of Legoland]

That's the weird thing - I've got direct services on the way back from games where there have been none on the way there. Bewildering set-up.

That actually makes sense to some degree. You will have a larger number of fans wanting a tram to say Bury or Altrincham after the game than during the more stretched-out timescale of those fans arriving beforehand.

 

[LongsightM13]

Now the Eccles line is finally back up and running all the regular Ashton ones are going from there again.

I noticed before one game just before the World Cup an empty double tram parked up at Deansgate, with Etihad on the front. Maybe that’s a new thing, that when they get the nod things are getting hectic up ahead, they send that through?

Yeah they used to run etihad special doubles from Deansgate a few years ago, again not promoted anywhere (a tram driver mate tipped me off) but not seen them for a while now

 

[Corky]

Stalybridge station will be shut for about a month March/April (everyday) and other weekends before and after.

Expect more news in Jan, but those who use it will need a new plan.

 

[Blue Smarties]

Stalybridge station will be shut for about a month March/April (everyday) and other weekends before and after.

Expect more news in Jan, but those who use it will need a new plan.

Thanks mate. Is this weekends only or full closure?

 

[Corky]

Thanks mate. Is this weekends only or full closure?

Full closure but surrounding weekends will be affected too on top of that. A press release is due in Jan apparently.

 

[Bluearmy]

Yeah they used to run etihad special doubles from Deansgate a few years ago, again not promoted anywhere (a tram driver mate tipped me off) but not seen them for a while now

What a sensible idea, no wonder they scrapped it

 

[zandvoort blue]

Thank you Metrolink for another shitstorm of a service on the Alty line tonight.

 

[BrownManc]

Left the ground with 10mins to go. Then waited 25 mins for a tram to Piccadilly. Then waited 20 mins for a tram to Trafford Bar where the service terminated. No buses nothing so walked to Stretford Station where the next tram to Sale will arrive at 23.45!! So should arrive home around after midnight Only took 2 and half hours from the Etihad to Sale. Absolutely ridiculous and this is not the first time on a match night.

 

[andyhinch]

Thank you Metrolink for another shitstorm of a service on the Alty line tonight.

Not fit for purpose, as someone who doesn’t walk to well it’s a joke

 

[Stephen Ireland's pants]

Dog shit

 

[Northerndave]

I'm normally the first to call Metrolink, but I stayed for a pint in Summerbees, then got a tram straight to Picc, change for a single to Alty (why a single?) which wasn't too busy, then back to Sale and Spoons for a late finish. All in all. not too bad tonight

 

[The Light Was Yellow Sir]

Full closure but surrounding weekends will be affected too on top of that. A press release is due in Jan apparently.

Overhead line stuff. Closing for 26 days (March 11-26) with rail replacement buses between Huddersfield and Manchester, although there will be a Leeds - Manchester train via Calder Valley. Bus service for Northern Stalybridge - AUL - Victoria as well.
Same for all weekends from 18/2 until Sunday 7/5. So the Ale Trail has gone for 4 months!

 

[Blue Mist]

Left the ground with 10mins to go. Then waited 25 mins for a tram to Piccadilly. Then waited 20 mins for a tram to Trafford Bar where the service terminated. No buses nothing so walked to Stretford Station where the next tram to Sale will arrive at 23.45!! So should arrive home around after midnight Only took 2 and half hours from the Etihad to Sale. Absolutely ridiculous and this is not the first time on a match night.

Last night was one of the best matches I've seen, the result was always in doubt......... and you left with 10 minutes to go !

 

[geoff hammond]

Left the ground with 10mins to go. Then waited 25 mins for a tram to Piccadilly. Then waited 20 mins for a tram to Trafford Bar where the service terminated. No buses nothing so walked to Stretford Station where the next tram to Sale will arrive at 23.45!! So should arrive home around after midnight Only took 2 and half hours from the Etihad to Sale. Absolutely ridiculous and this is not the first time on a match night.

If you leave that early why do you even bother going at all?

 

[MikeF]

Left the ground with 10mins to go. Then waited 25 mins for a tram to Piccadilly. Then waited 20 mins for a tram to Trafford Bar where the service terminated. No buses nothing so walked to Stretford Station where the next tram to Sale will arrive at 23.45!! So should arrive home around after midnight Only took 2 and half hours from the Etihad to Sale. Absolutely ridiculous and this is not the first time on a match night.

Get to Mallorca in that time!!

 

[Gingers Dad]

Left the ground with 10mins to go. Then waited 25 mins for a tram to Piccadilly. Then waited 20 mins for a tram to Trafford Bar where the service terminated. No buses nothing so walked to Stretford Station where the next tram to Sale will arrive at 23.45!! So should arrive home around after midnight Only took 2 and half hours from the Etihad to Sale. Absolutely ridiculous and this is not the first time on a match night.

And the lesson is don't leave early.