Early tram starts don’t help shift workers

Kingsway Metrolink stop

Workers at Kingsway Business Park can't use the tram to travel to work. The first tram departing from Rochdale Tram stop is at 05:57am, which leaves workers at Kingsway Business Park unable to use the tram for their 06:00am start.

Frank Salt of STORM (Support the Oldham Rochdale Manchester line) said: “It is nonsense; there is no intention of serving the people of Rochdale.” 

Transport for Greater Manchester set tram times and a spokesperson for TfGM said: 
“Where possible we work with major local employers to see if Metrolink can serve their shift patterns but at present it is not possible to run a Metrolink service from Rochdale Railway Station earlier than the first 5.57am tram.

“While we regularly review timetables we always need to balance the passenger demand for travel with the cost of running services. And outside passenger service hours the Metrolink operator has to carry out routine maintenance and cleaning of the tram fleet and system.”

Carol Hopkins of Rochdale Development Agency added: “The Kingsway Link [bus] service which runs from 5.00am can be used for people having issues with the tram.

“Kingsway is not unique and other areas will be having similar issues and we are hoping that the bus service will resolve these issues. The service is in demand and people can call for the bus when they need it. The service also runs from Shaw in Oldham.”

The Metrolink start time problem was also recently discussed at a local chamber meeting.  Delphine Greenhalgh, Rochdale Chamber President, said: “I am not aware of any plans to change the start time. The issue has been raised but I don’t think anything further has been said about it.”

For people who can’t use the tram, the Kingsway Link bus service is available from 5am until 11pm and runs from Kirkholt, Newbold, Stoneyfield, Milkstone and Deeplish, Belfield, Balderstone, Castleton, Milnrow, Smallbridge, Buckley, High Crompton and Sholver.