Pilot scheme extended for free Metrolink travel between Rochdale station and town centre

The Metrolink arriving in Rochdale town centre

Passengers travelling between any Greater Manchester railway station and Rochdale station can enjoy free travel to or from Rochdale town centre via Metrolink as part of a pilot scheme introduced by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).

The offer is open to customers holding a valid heavy rail ticket from any train station in Greater Manchester, as well as selected travel passes.

TfGM first introduced the scheme to support Rochdale Borough Council in encouraging travel to see Dippy, the National History Museum’s touring dinosaur which took up residence at Number One Riverside in 2020.

The pilot in Rochdale is now being extended to provide a more seamless experience for passengers and to encourage more people to visit the town centre. The ticket can be used both ways, as long as the person has a valid rail ticket (from a station in GM) in their possession when they make the journey.

The following tickets will be accepted as valid heavy rail tickets for free travel from Rochdale train station to Metrolink’s Rochdale Town Centre stop:

• Any day, week, month or annual train ticket valid between a Greater Manchester rail station and Rochdale
• An adult day, week, 28 day or annual GM Traincard
• An adult or child GM Rail Ranger
• System One Countycard
• System One AnyBus and train ticket
• Wayfarer adult, child, concessionary or group ticket

The current offer does not include rail tickets that originate outside of Greater Manchester.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “As we move towards a more integrated public transport system with simpler, fairer ticketing, we want to take any opportunity we can to test out new ways of making travel as seamless as possible for residents and visitors.

“We hope this new scheme will encourage more people to use Metrolink to continue their journey into Rochdale town centre and enjoy all that the borough has to offer.”

Councillor Neil Emmott, Leader of Rochdale Borough Council, added: “It is great that this offer has been extended. Rochdale is a destination for people across Greater Manchester and a scheme like this recognises that.

“We’ve invested in Rochdale Town Centre and this ticket offer will only further enhance footfall to our thriving leisure and retail offer whilst also supporting our growing town centre residential offer. 

“Schemes like this, our Rail Corridor Strategy and the proposed extension of the Metrolink to Heywood and Middleton show that we’re working closely with partners to improve our public transport offer to enable more trips by sustainable travel modes to support our town centres.”