Great way to get around Manchester (Manchester Metrolink)

Member Name: Kevin_C

Product:	Manchester Metrolink
Date:	03/01/09 (18 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap, fast

Disadvantages: Limited routes, rush hour delays

Overall it's a great light rail system running from south to north Manchester and also out to Eccles/Salford Quays. It's being extended to Rochdale/ Oldham and Chorlton currently. I wasn't impressed by it's extension plans though - far too many stops too close together and I'd be also worried about a City Centre "bottleneck".

Generally, there is a pretty decent service, although delays of approximately 12 minutes are common in the winter rush hour. They also do get horribly overcrowded. The prices generally work out cheaper than the bus fares, meaning it's both quicker and cheaper to use, whilst providing a much more frequent service than British Rail did, when they owned the original line. A few extra trams in the evening would be an advantage though, as they finish at 23:45 which is sometimes just not late enough if you are out during the week. Overall though a very good system.

Update July 2009: I feel re-reading this review I was too generous towards them. Yes, they are cheaper than the buses and yes, when the service is running smoothly it's pretty good.

This is the problem: more and more recently it's not been running smoothly, 1/2 hour delays when there are concerts at Old Trafford, city centre line closures for 7 months and a complete line closure due in August for "overhead power line upgrades", despite something similar happening in 2007.

Customer Services, when I have complained have never been massively helpful. They don't really respond to your query, but rather send out a bland apology with a promise of a complimentary ticket that never arrives.

I feel the system has a lot of potential but managemnt need to sort themselves out and deliver the efficient, effective service we expect.

Summary: Still neeed to leave plenty of time at morning rush hour