Trams to outnumber trains by 5 to 2

Councillor Zulf Ali

Rochdale’s train service to Oldham will be replaced with a tram service that is more than twice as frequent when the new Metrolink line opens in spring 2012.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority is overseeing a £575 million expansion of the network to Oldham and Rochdale, Droylsden in Tameside and Chorlton in South Manchester. Construction work is due to start early next year.

Tram services will run from Rochdale to Manchester every 12 minutes, and from Shaw and Crompton to Manchester every 6 minutes, when the route opens. The train service between Manchester, Rochdale and Leeds will also continue to run as normal.

At the moment, two trains an hour run between Rochdale and Oldham providing a service every 30 minutes.

Councillor Zulfiqar Ali, Rochdale’s spokesperson on the Passenger Transport Authority, said: “One of the biggest benefits of Metrolink is that it provides a frequent service, making it more convenient.

“Passengers don’t have to worry about checking a timetable before they leave home. They can simply turn up at a Metrolink stop and buy a ticket knowing that a tram will be along in a few minutes time.

“The trams on the new Metrolink line to Rochdale will pass stops every 12 minutes in both directions. I’m looking forward to seeing them become a familiar sight in the borough.”

The three new Metrolink lines will cover nearly 20 miles and include 26 stops. Trains will stop running on the train line to Oldham and Rochdale in autumn 2009, with the new Metrolink line expected to open to trams between Manchester and Central Park in East Manchester in spring 2011.

Trams are also due to begin running to St Werburgh’s Road in Chorlton in spring 2011, Oldham Mumps in autumn 2011, and to Rochdale and Droylsden in spring 2012.

Transport bosses are developing proposals for alternative bus services along the Oldham and Rochdale line while the work takes place. Detailed information will be provided to passengers nearer the time.