Metrolink continues to go from strength to strength, latest Government figures show

The Metrolink at Rochdale Railway Station

The 93-stop network remains by far the most popular light rail system outside of London, according to statistics released on Thursday 20 June by the Department for Transport.

There was a total of 43.7 million Metrolink journeys in the year to the end of March 2019, up from 41.2 million in the previous financial year and more than double the 19.2 million recorded at the start of the decade.

The data also shows increases in a number of other areas, with the average person in the Greater Manchester transport area taking an average of 15.6 tram journeys during the year, compared to 14.8 the previous year.

TfGM’s Head of Metrolink Danny Vaughan, said: “We are working all the time to make Metrolink better and it’s no surprise to see us performing so well and catering for more than 44m passenger journeys per year.

“We’re in the midst of some very exciting changes designed to make using the network easier and more attractive, such as our zones system, which has given customers more for their money – and the soon-to-launch contactless system.

“We’re making excellent progress on the Trafford Park Line extension, due to open in the first half of 2020, and will soon welcome the first of 27 new trams that will provide us with some much-needed extra capacity.

“There’s no doubt the future is looking bright for Metrolink and I look forward to welcoming even more people onto our network as we continue to expand and grow.”