Next stop... price hikes

TICKET price increase . . . on the Metrolink system

TRAM passengers are facing a price hike double whammy ­- and are being asked if they want to spread the cost.

The Metrolink Fare Survey gives two options for fares with either a rise all in one go in January ­- or have the increase spread over the next three years. In addition, there will be an annual fare increase of 1 per cent above inflation starting in January.

Transport chiefs say a rise is needed as fares have been frozen for three years during disruptive work to expand the network, which now needs paying back.

They say to keep up with inflation, fares would normally have been expected to increase each year. Metrolink has not revealed how much the increase will be for either option. A final decision will be made by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) this autumn.

The hike comes at the end of a transformational £1.5 billion programme of construction which has seen the network treble in size, with lines now running to Oldham, Rochdale, MediaCityUK, East Didsbury, Ashton and Manchester Airport.

This year saw the final piece of the programme fall into place when the Second City Crossing opened offering new links and more frequent trams through Manchester city centre.

Completion of the Second City Crossing means the network now comprises a fleet of 120 trams, 93 stops across seven lines and more than 60 miles of track spanning a system which is now the largest of its kind in the UK. Last year saw more than 37 million passenger journeys made by Metrolink.

Stephen Rhodes, customer director for Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), said: "The money we get from fares goes back into the network ­- it also pays back the money we borrowed to expand the system. It pays for day-to-day costs like drivers, maintenance and security.

"We recognised that the work to create a new line through the city would be felt by passengers and so we held off increasing fares while it was carried out.

"However, Metrolink covers its day-to-day operating costs without any public financial support. Having held fares for three years we now need to return them to the level they need to be at to ensure that Metrolink can continue to operate on a financially sustainable basis into the future.

"Metrolink fares continue to offer good value for money, particularly for season ticket holders, as well as providing an environmentally friendly way of getting around Greater Manchester."

Customers can take part in the eight-week Metrolink Fare Survey by visiting www.metrolink.co.uk/fares-survey. It's open until August 18.