But some lines have stopped.I was more querying the quote about overtime, I should have been clearer.
The comparison with the dark side is interesting. There are numerous lines going that way, with a new one to come, giving the poor deluded sods a choice of about 3-4 stops on different lines to pick a tram from. Metrolink seem to have gone down the route of the London Underground where trams run on a timetabled official line and are not deviated off that (hence the loss of direct Alt-Ashton and Bury-Ashton services). The logistics of moving trams around the network must mean there are generally more over that side of the city and over the border at the Swamp due to the number of lines, but I hear your point about Burnham jumping on their whinge.
The solution for us, I think, is more lines & trams rather than just more trams on one line.
That's what I meant. You used to be able to get to most anywhere from anywhere on one tram. Bury to Alty, Bury to Ashton (or at least Etihad), probably had the odd ones to Media City, Airport etc, but they now seem to be sticking to set routes now meaning changes like on the London Underground. Except in London you are at least dry and fellow passengers have paid for a ticket whereas here it's stood on a cold, open platform surrounded by fare dodgers. It's probably easier to manage but makes it less appealing for passengers.But some lines have stopped.
There used to be a tram from Bury and one from Rochdale that went through Victoria and on to Ashton.
These now terminate in Piccadilly adding to the mayhem there.
The only direct tram comes from either Eccles or Media City, obviously the home to most of our fans.
Fair pointThat's what I meant. You used to be able to get to most anywhere from anywhere on one tram. Bury to Alty, Bury to Ashton (or at least Etihad), probably had the odd ones to Media City, Airport etc, but they now seem to be sticking to set routes now meaning changes like on the London Underground. Except in London you are at least dry and fellow passengers have paid for a ticket whereas here it's stood on a cold, open platform surrounded by fare dodgers. It's probably easier to manage but makes it less appealing for passengers.
They have been saying trains are not available (ie can't be purchased) on the routes from Manchester to Preston for more than 15 years. During this period the rest of Europe and most of the world have been busy upgrading their rolling stock and building new high speed rail routes. I don't believe a word Burnham or anyone else says on this issue. North West England has the worst transport infrastructure (roads are just as bad) in Europe (East or West). Our politicians are liars.Does his response not answer part of your concerns by explaining why trams aren't available and what is being done to rectify it?
Personally the issue is that every tram has to go via the city centre and often requires a change on a crowded platform. Currently it's just not as quick, cheap, reliable or comfortable as driving by car, so there's absolutely no reason to use it, other than you might possibly be able to have a proper drink and negates the small chance you might get your car vandalised/stolen. It would cost our group of 4 people £25 to travel to the game. I still need to drive to the Met station so am prevented from the benefit of being able to drink unless I catch a bus to the met which adds another £5 each and 30 mins travel time each way. I live just 10 miles from the ground within the GM region. What a shambles.