Metrolink returns to Manchester Victoria
The revamped Manchester Victoria Metrolink stop has opened this morning for trams to and from Bury and Rochdale.
Network Rail is delivering an overhaul of the stop, including new platforms and tracks, as part of the station's wider transformation that has been ongoing since February 2014. An extended programme of work on the Metrolink line began on Saturday 14 February.
Services through Victoria to Shudehill, Market Street and beyond are expected to resume from the start of service on Saturday 21 February, when track work along Balloon Street is complete.
That will result in the restoration of the six-minute service from Bury to the city centre and a direct Victoria to Piccadilly link. Until then, Metrolink services will run as follows and a shuttle bus will run between Piccadilly and Victoria to provide connections:
- Bury to Victoria
- Oldham-Rochdale to Victoria
- Altrincham to Piccadilly
- East Didsbury to Piccadilly
- Eccles to Ashton, via MediaCityUK
- Manchester Airport to Cornbrook
The redesigned and expanded Manchester Victoria Metrolink stop will ultimately allow more frequent and flexible services to run through the iconic city centre railway station as part of the new second city crossing and wider tram network expansion.
Peter Cushing, Transport for Greater Manchester's Metrolink director, said: "It is going to be great to have the stop back because, although there will still be a lot of construction activity in the station, it will restore key services and connections for passengers.
"Our focus now turns to restoring services through the new stop by the weekend for passengers travelling from the south – and we'll be working closely with Network Rail to keep that work on track.
"The service changes involved have purposefully been planned for the traditionally quieter half-term period – but we fully appreciate the patience of passengers who are affected by them – and that's reflected in the decision to freeze fares this year."
