Metrolink to / from Etihad

[Stephen230]

Telling people to start walking to town when they struggle to walk that sort of distance. IMHO anyone saying that to people who struggle walking is in the wrong job

I think whoever the person in charge of making the decisions, panicked. He probably got a message that there was some crushing going on down on the platform. He immediately ordered all the entrances to be shut, which was fair enough, while they assessed the situation. But they gave no information to the staff manning those gates, other than, there’s no trams until further notice.

That left the staff winging it regarding what to tell increasingly agitated and aggressive punters. I think some of them assumed “until further notice” was most likely something along the lines of a bomb scare and were telling people they might as well walk it in good faith.

 

[uwerosler28]

I haven't been to the Etihad for years and after reading this thread I wouldn't want to go these days if I had free tickets. It sounds like a worsening shambles. Having concerts on the same day as matches just shows contempt for the paying punters.

It's an inconvenience yes, but manageable, I certainly wouldn't turn down free tickets to a team I supposedly support because of it.

 

[Roachy]

I think whoever the person in charge of making the decisions, panicked. He probably got a message that there was some crushing going on down on the platform. He immediately ordered all the entrances to be shut, which was fair enough, while they assessed the situation. But they gave no information to the staff manning those gates, other than, there’s no trams until further notice.

That left the staff winging it regarding what to tell increasingly agitated and aggressive punters. I think some of them assumed “until further notice” was most likely something along the lines of a bomb scare and were telling people they might as well walk it in good faith.

Comms is definitely an issue throughout and it's something they need to address. I approached the tram driver on Sat at Stretford and politely asked what was happening due to the tram being sat there for 15 mins. Also trams were backing up. He didn't know the reason and had been told to wait there with no further info.

 

[Citizen of Legoland]

I think it’s fair to say that having late football and a concert together on the same Saturday night proved too much for the system. If only someone had spoken out to warn them. ;

Hopefully someone can ask Burnham about it on his weekly (?) radio interview.

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

I think it’s fair to say that having late football and a concert together on the same Saturday night proved too much for the system. If only someone had spoken out to warn them. ;

Hopefully someone can ask Burnham about it on his weekly (?) radio interview.

Burnham will do nothing. He was warned about the transport dangers outside our stadium created by simultaneous concerts and football two years ago. His response was pathetic. He talks a lot and delivers very little.

 

[Citizen of Legoland]

Burnham will do nothing. He was warned about the transport dangers outside our stadium created by simultaneous concerts and football two years ago. His response was pathetic. He talks a lot and delivers very little.

Probably not but it’s important these issues keep getting highlighted and he’s the only one who relies on votes to stay in his position and at least puts his face out there. In his defence he’s still restricted by years of under investment which is taking years to unravel. He’s not yet got all the buses under local control (Jan 2025 I think it’s all Bee Network). The buses are a little better in the BN areas in my opinion and are staying at £2 a trip so that’s something.

 

[Roachy]

Probably not but it’s important these issues keep getting highlighted and he’s the only one who relies on votes to stay in his position and at least puts his face out there. In his defence he’s still restricted by years of under investment which is taking years to unravel. He’s not yet got all the buses under local control (Jan 2025 I think it’s all Bee Network). The buses are a little better in the BN areas in my opinion and are staying at £2 a trip so that’s something.

I mentioned it earlier and that is a lot of Metrolinks problems are obviously nothing to do with him like you say. Keolis/Amey though, who operate it, need a complete rocket up their arse on so many issues. This is where Burnham should be doing what he's paid for. I would suggest they just fob him off with a load of old tosh. Meanwhile the public get an all too regular "not fit for purpose" system.

 

[Blue Mist]

This has the potential to become a huge problem. I walked home around the back of the athletics stadium through Bradford last night and the car parks and roads there were carnage. Concert goers trying to get onto car parks as City fans were trying to get off, taxis simply stuck in the middle of gridlocked traffic both ways, etc. The metrolink issue was likewise totally predictable and avoidable, with some common sense. As usual, somebody will have to be injured badly before logic overrides greed.

Who would have thought there could be a problem with City selling car park spaces and the Co-op selling the same ones for a bit later on.
You can't plan for these kind of issues, you just can't.

 

[chesterbells]

Who would have thought there could be a problem with City selling car park spaces and the Co-op selling the same ones for a bit later on.
You can't plan for these kind of issues, you just can't.

Is it true the spaces cost twice as much for a gig than a match?

 

[Blue Mist]

Is it true the spaces cost twice as much for a gig than a match?

I can't say for definite but I have been told they are.

 

[Scaring Europe to Death]

My partner was with her daughter for the concert, and apart from the trams being dangerously packed, the lack of helpful knowledgeable stewards, the queues being so long that they missed the first two acts, the extortionate price of the drinks, the toilets being blocked, and having to leave before the end to have any realistic chance of catching the last train home, they had a great time.

 

[Really_here]

Is it true the spaces cost twice as much for a gig than a match?

A quick google would seem to indicate it's more expensive (£25 per event ?) but not twice as much? The cost of going to a gig is getting close to what a nice weekend away somewhere abroad would cost - nuts !

 

[Really_here]

My partner was with her daughter for the concert, and apart from the trams being dangerously packed, the lack of helpful knowledgeable stewards, the queues being so long that they missed the first two acts, the extortionate price of the drinks, the toilets being blocked, and having to leave before the end to have any realistic chance of catching the last train home, they had a great time.

It is surprising what people will put up with

 

[Roachy]

My partner was with her daughter for the concert, and apart from the trams being dangerously packed, the lack of helpful knowledgeable stewards, the queues being so long that they missed the first two acts, the extortionate price of the drinks, the toilets being blocked, and having to leave before the end to have any realistic chance of catching the last train home, they had a great time.

That's sounds like what should have been a great night turned into an endurance test. Seems to be a common occurrence with most events that happen in this city nowadays. Ripped off, treated like shite and totally deflated as a result.

 

[blue b4 the moon]

I'd quite fancy staying at my mates in Baguley on the evening of the Forest match.

Ideally driving in morning time, going into town with him for beers, waving him off home while I go to the ground & tram back to his after the game. Shouldn't be anything stressful or hard in a simple operation.

I can't guarantee I'd be able to get back to his flat though so,it'll not happen.

I can't be on my own and as such the city is missing out on money that i'd be spending.

Not fit for purpose.

 

[adopted_manc]

That's sounds like what should have been a great night turned into an endurance test. Seems to be a common occurrence with most events that happen in this city nowadays. Ripped off, treated like shite and totally deflated as a result.

I guess that's all to "encourage" people to buy premium tickets? They come with guaranteed access to working toilets, perhaps.

 

[Scaring Europe to Death]

That's sounds like what should have been a great night turned into an endurance test. Seems to be a common occurrence with most events that happen in this city nowadays. Ripped off, treated like shite and totally deflated as a result.

You're absolutely right, but whereas my partner was shocked and visibly upset, I wasn't the least bit surprised.
Until they improve the whole transport infrastructure (including trams to Stockport or wherever) this has got disaster written all over it.

 

[Stephen230]

I'd quite fancy staying at my mates in Baguley on the evening of the Forest match.

Ideally driving in morning time, going into town with him for beers, waving him off home while I go to the ground & tram back to his after the game. Shouldn't be anything stressful or hard in a simple operation.

I can't guarantee I'd be able to get back to his flat though so,it'll not happen.

I can't be on my own and as such the city is missing out on money that i'd be spending.

Not fit for purpose.

I mean, you can’t guarantee any trip anyway will go perfectly to plan. What do you do, never leave the house?

You’re really cancelling a trip because of the 1% ( probably a lot less ) chance that you can’t get back to Wythenhawe after the game on public transport?

 

[Roachy]

You're absolutely right, but whereas my partner was shocked and visibly upset, I wasn't the least bit surprised.
Until they improve the whole transport infrastructure (including trams to Stockport or wherever) this has got disaster written all over it.

It's the same with a lot of things really. All nice and glossy on the surface but that's where it ends. The transport situation is a real problem though. Residents have become accustomed to it but nonetheless still find it exasperating. Visitors must, at times, be appalled at what they encounter.

 

[blue b4 the moon]

I mean, you can’t guarantee any trip anyway will go perfectly to plan. What do you do, never leave the house?

You’re really cancelling a trip because of the 1% ( probably a lot less ) chance that you can’t get back to Wythenhawe after the game on public transport?

I've been left high & dry a few times when I lived in Manchester until 2 1/2 years ago getting back to the northern outskirts by the trams.... usually on a fucking awful weather night.

It's a shite system, I'll just call and chat with him at his place then drive over near the ground to park in my normal area. or go over another day just for a beer.

You are right nothing in life is 100% certain but I'm not prepared to take the risk of it all.