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     The company that designed, built, operates and maintains Metrolink is GMML (a consortium of GEC Alsthom, Mowlem, AMEC, Greater Manchester Roadcar Company and GMPTE). Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive owns the system including all the track, stations, depots and trams. GMPTA sets the service frequency, but GMML are free to set the fares. At the end of the concession period GMML must be prepared to hand the system back to GMPTE in good condition.

• The construction of:

• New track between Cornbrook Junction, Piccadilly Gardens, Victoria Station and Piccadilly Station
• Eight new stations in Manchester City centre
• Operations centre and maintenance depot at Queens Road

 
• The provision of:
• New 750Vdc overhead supply throughout.
• 26 trams
• Signalling systems
• Fare collection equipment
 
• Conversion of Victoria - Bury and Altrincham - Cornbrook Junction BR lines to Metrolink lines.

# indicates a one way station. Interchange with National Railways is at Altrincham, Piccadilly and Victoria

     On the segregated lines a speed limit of 50 miles per hour applies catering for a relatively high speed local service. In the city centre, however drivers have to drive "on sight" obeying the traffic lights in the normal way and operating with a maximum speed of 30 mph.

     Metrolink operates an open station system where there are no ticket barriers or restrictions on entry to platforms. Passengers can purchase tickets from ticket machines on all station or season tickets which can be obtained from selected Post Offices, rail stations, bus stations and from GMML. Mobile Inspectors are on the system throughout the day both for revenue protection purposes and to help passengers.

     From April 1998 a new crossover came into operation outside Piccadilly. One of the underground platforms will be used for services to Bury and the other from services to Altrincham. Instead of using the turn back siding, services will reverse in the platforms  and drivers will step-back, so the driver of the previous service will take the next tram out immediately. This new arrangement will save 4 minutes of the previous turn-a-round time, which will enable a 5 min frequency to operate in the peaks.

     GMPTE has picked the Altram consortium (Laing Civil Engineering, Ansaldo Trasporti and the Serco Group) to build the extension to Salford Quays and Eccles and take over the running of the existing system. This means that GMML will have to give up the existing Bury-Altrincham route using a break clause in the existing contract. The route has already been given Transport & Works Act planning permission in September 1996. GMPTE has raised the £120 million required to build the route from the GTPTA, European Regional Development Fund and Department of Environment Capital Challenge. The 4.5 mile route should be open by 1999, carrying six million passengers a year.

     GMPTE has also been granted planning approval to build a Metrolink line to Manchester Airport. The line will be 21km long and will cost £145 million. Funding for the line is now being sought from the Government. The line to Rochdale will take higher priority because Manchester Airport is currently well served by rail links. Latest news on Metrolink 2000 can be obtained from the LRTA.
 

     Built 1991-2 by Firema, Italy.

1001 CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS APPEAL 1
1002 MANCHESTER ARNDALE VOYAGER
1003 CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS APPEAL 2
1004 THE ROBERT OWEN
1005 GREATER ALTRINCHAM ENTERPRISE
1006
1007 THE GUINNESS RECORD BREAKER
1008 MANCHESTER AIRPORT
1009 CO-OPERATIVE INSURANCE
1010 MANCHESTER CHAMPION
1011
1012
1013
1014 THE CITY OF DRAMA
1015 SPARKY
1016
1017 ROSIE
1018 THE HIRE FLYER
1019 THE ERIC BLACK
1020 THE DAVID GRAHAM CBE
1021 THE GREATER MANCHESTER RADIO
1022 THE GREATER MANCHESTER EVENING POST
1023
1024 THE JOHN GREENWOOD
1025
1026 THE POWER

Special Purpose Vehicle

Built in 1991 by RFS. Unnumbered

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© A.Boodoo & Duncan Pflaeger, 04-Mar-99, r2.2