East Didsbury tram starts next week
The 2.7-mile extension to the Metrolink line in South Manchester linking the network with East Didsbury will open to passengers on Thursday 23 May, several months ahead of schedule according to Transport for Greater Manchester.
There will be five extra stops; Withington, Burton Road, West Didsbury, Didsbury Village and East Didsbury.
A free 300-space park-and-ride facility will be available at the East Didsbury stop.
The first tram is due to leave East Didsbury at 5.49am on Thursday next week.
Journeys from East Didsbury to the city will take less than half an hour.
Services will run every 12 minutes all day Monday to Saturday and between 9am and 6pm on Sundays and bank holidays; and at 15-minute intervals all other times.
Tickets between East Didsbury and Withington will cost £1.80 for a peak anytime single and £2.60 for a peak anytime return.
The same tickets from stops between East Didsbury and Withington to stops between St Werburgh's Road and Firswood will cost £2.10 and £3.60 respectively. Journeys between neighbouring stops will start at £1.30 for a single.
Tickets from East Didsbury to all stops in Manchester city centre up to and including Manchester Victoria will cost £3.40 and £5.40 respectively, while an off-peak return will cost £3.80.
The extension brings the total size of the Metrolink network to 45.6 miles.
New lines to Ashton, due to open in winter 2013/14, Oldham and Rochdale town centres, 2014, and Manchester Airport via Wythenshawe, 2016, will take the size of the network to 92 stops on 59 miles of track.
When the tram opened in 1992 it was 18.5 miles.
One of the great success stories for Manchester over the past 20 years!
By Thomas the Tank
Train from East Didsbury to town – 15 minutes, £4.00 return Tram from East Didsbury to town – 30 minutes, £5.40 return Not appreciably faster than the bus from Didsbury village either (SLOWER outside peak times), about twice as expensive and doubtless more crowded. Should have spent the money on somewhere less well served by public transport.
By Tom
Does this mean less of the 6 bus conveys up Palatine & Wilmslow Roads?
By Ann Gloag
For maximum economic and environmental benefit, Metrolink needs to go to Cheshire. Get cars off the road and link the main two economic powerhouses to create truly sustainable growth and jobs.
By Tatton Estate Management