Metrolink returns to Manchester Victoria

Metrolink trams from Rochdale and Bury rolled back in to a new Manchester Victoria stop today (Wednesday 18 February).

The stop re-opened from the start of service this morning to passengers travelling to or from Rochdale and Bury.

The re-designed and expanded Manchester Victoria Metrolink stop will ultimately allow more frequent and flexible services to run through the city centre railway station as part of the new Second City Crossing and wider tram network expansion.

Ian Joslin, Area Director for Network Rail, said: “Re-opening the tram stop at Manchester Victoria is a milestone in the redevelopment of the station and, I am sure, will be welcomed by passengers.

“There is still some vital track work to be done along Balloon Street before we can restore Metrolink services through the new stop and there will be planned changes to tram services until Saturday while we do that.

“We apologise for any disruption that causes but the result will ultimately be a better tram service with better connections to the railway as part of the stunning new Manchester Victoria station.”

Peter Cushing, TfGM’s Metrolink Director, said: “It is going to be great to have the stop back because, although there will still be a lot of construction activity in the station, it will restore key services and connections for passengers.

“Our focus now turns to restoring services through the new stop by the weekend for passengers travelling from the south – and we’ll be working closely with Network Rail to keep that work on track.

“The service changes involved have purposefully been planned for the traditionally quieter half-term period – but we fully appreciate the patience of passengers who are affected by them– and that’s reflected in the decision to freeze fares this year.”

Network Rail is delivering a major overhaul of the stop, including new platforms and tracks, as part of the station’s wider transformation and an extended programme of work on the Metrolink line began on Saturday 14 February.

Services through Victoria – to Shudehill, Market Street and beyond – are expected to resume from the start of service on Saturday 21 February, when track work along Balloon Street is complete.

That will result in the restoration of the six-minute service from Bury to the city centre and a direct Victoria to Piccadilly link. Until then, Metrolink services will run as follows and a shuttle bus will run between Piccadilly and Victoria to provide connections:

• Bury to Victoria
• Oldham-Rochdale to Victoria
• Altrincham to Piccadilly
• East Didsbury to Piccadilly
• Eccles to Ashton, via MediaCityUK
• Manchester Airport to Cornbrook