Cutting the commuting cost for Greater Manchester's apprentices

Greater Manchester’s apprentices can enjoy a cheaper commute, thanks to an offer from the region’s transport and political leaders.

The scheme, run by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), means apprentices based in the region can now receive a free bike or 28-day travel pass to help them on their trip to and from work.

Eligible apprentices, who can struggle with transport costs as they are not entitled to discounted travel, can apply for the free 28-day travel pass – valid on all Metrolink trams and most bus services within Greater Manchester.

For those who prefer their commute on two wheels, the Apprentice Bike to Work scheme provides a free refurbished bike, cycle training and bike maintenance courses from TfGM. The bikes also come with cycling accessories and safety equipment such as lights and helmets.

They are also entitled to a Personalised Travel Plan (PTP) which, by answering a few simple questions, will give them advice on the best way to commute to their workplace.

Councillor Sean Anstee, GMCA’s Vice Chair and Lead Member for Skills, Employment and Apprenticeships, praised the initiative: “Cost has been identified as the biggest barrier to travel in Greater Manchester for young people.

“This is amplified for apprentices, the majority of whom don’t receive discounted tickets and have to spend a significant proportion of their apprenticeship wage each day in order to travel between home and their workplace.

“Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to develop skills, earn a wage and achieve a qualification while working, but for some the cost prohibits this opportunity.

“This offer is an important step to balance out those travel costs whilst encouraging sustainable travel through the use of public transport or cycling.

“Cycling, in particular, is a healthy, low-cost and practical way of getting to work and key to reducing congestion and carbon emissions in the region.

“It’s simple for apprentices to apply for, and they even get to keep the bike once their apprenticeship has finished.”

All applications should be made through apprenticeship providers who are registered with TfGM. For more information about the scheme, including provider registration, please visit www.tfgm.com/apprentices.

Runners and residents advised to plan their journeys ahead of Manchester Half Marathon

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https://beta.tfgm.com/travel-updates/manchester-half-marathon

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is advising runners and spectators of the Manchester Half Marathon to plan their journeys ahead of the race this Sunday (15 October).

Residents of Trafford, Stretford and Sale are also advised to plan their travel that day as roads will be closed to become part of the course.

Around 12,000 runners are estimated to be taking part in the event, which starts at 9am on Bridgewater Way in Stretford, and finishes at Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground.

Roads will be closed and reopened throughout the day to accommodate the event, with the earliest closures starting at 5am and the latest around 6pm. Bus services will also be affected as they are diverted around the closed roads.

Metrolink trams are not affected and will be running as usual, but are likely to be busier than normal as people attend the event or seek to avoid the road closures.

People driving to the race are encouraged to take advantage of Greater Manchester’s free park and ride facilities and complete their journey by public transport.

TfGM has prepared detailed travel advice, including maps and journey planning. https://beta.tfgm.com/travel-updates/manchester-half-marathon  

Metrolink event staff will also be on hand to help customers with their travel needs. TfGM, Metrolink and the event organisers will also be using their social media accounts on the day to update passengers on any issues affecting travel.

TfGM’s Events and Operational Coordination Manager, Ryan Carter, said: “The Manchester Half Marathon is a superb event which attracts thousands of people and we want to ensure everyone gets to the starting line on time.

“We have been working closely with the organisers to get effective transport plans in place and minimise any disruption.

“Our advice is for people to plan their journeys and allow yourself a little extra time to get to your destination. We will be monitoring the event on the day to ensure it all goes smoothly – and the best of luck to everyone taking part.”

Sarah Bennett, Manchester Half Marathon’s, Race Director said: “I’d like to thank TfGM for their help organising the transport for the Manchester Half Marathon. I’d encourage everyone to take their advice and plan their journey so they can get to the right place at the right time.

“The course follows the Altrincham line of the Metrolink, which gives spectators the chance to catch the race at different parts of the course, but please be aware that this may mean the line is busier than normal at those stops.”

For information on public transport across Greater Manchester visit www.tfgm.com, call 0161 244 1000 (7am-8pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am-8pm at weekends and bank holidays) or follow @OfficialTfGM on Twitter.

Monday 9 October: Industrial action affecting bus services

On Monday 9 October, First Manchester services will be affected by a one day strike by drivers from their Bolton and Rusholme depots. This will cause significant disruption, with services on the north side of the city region expected to be particularly affected. First have published a list of affected services.

2018 Metrolink fare changes agreed

A meeting of Greater Manchester Combined Authority on Friday 29 September agreed Metrolink fare changes from 1 January 2018.

16-18 year olds who hold a get me there card will have cheaper travel after council leaders agreed to cut the cost of an off-peak day or weekend Metrolink ticket in half.

From January Metrolink fares will rise on average by 5.93%, as part of a phased three year increase.

This includes an estimated rise of 4% (split into 1.33% per year) – plus the annual RPI+1% over the next three years.

Other changes agreed today include:

• Children aged 5-16 will now pay 50% of the adult fare across the board.
• Special event tickets – held at the same price since 2012 – will rise from £3 to £4.
• A new discounted special event ticket will be introduced for 5 to 18 year olds for £2, at half the adult price.

The decision to phase the fares increase was made after 78% of people who took part in an 8-week Metrolink fares survey opted to spread the increase over three years.

Metrolink receives no public subsidy, so any fares revenue from the increases pays for the rise in network operating costs.

The increase will also cover the costs of borrowing secured to pay for the recent major tram network expansion programme.

The overall percentage increase will vary between individual tickets. More information on fares will be available on www.tfgm.com later this year.

For more information on Metrolink services visit www.metrolink.co.uk, call Metrolink Customer Services on 0161 205 2000 or follow @MCRMetrolink on Twitter for live travel updates.

Industrial action affecting bus and rail services

https://beta.tfgm.com/travel-updates/industrial-action

Public transport users are being advised to plan ahead as industrial action is expected to cause disruption to bus and rail services next week.

On Monday 2 October First Bus services will be affected by a one-day strike by drivers from their Bolton and Rusholme depots. This will cause significant disruption with services on the north side of Greater Manchester expected to be particularly affected.

First Bus has published a list of affected services. These include the Vantage service on the Leigh to Ellenbrook guided busway.

Additionally, Northern rail industrial action is taking place on Tuesday 3 October and Thursday 5 October. Industrial action is likely to cause significant disruption to rail services provided by operator Arriva Rail North (Northern) on Tuesday 3 October and Thursday 5 October.

The majority of Northern services will not run and any services that do run will be working to a revised timetable.  Further details are available on Northern’s website.

TfGM’s Transport and Event Planning Lead, John Fryer, said: “We are taking action to minimise the disruption to the transport network; however, the impact is still likely to be significant.

“Our control room will open earlier and work later during this period and we’ll have additional customer service support on the phones and online to help people who have to travel, but our strongest advice is: expect disruption and plan ahead now.

“Metrolink tram services are not affected by the industrial action and all of Greater Manchester’s park and ride facilities will be open.

“Commuters can play their part and our advice is simple: plan ahead, be prepared, and think about all your travel choices.

“For example, can you travel at a different time, or does your employer allow you to work from home? If you can travel at a quieter time, or in a different way – it can make a massive improvement, not just to your journey but to everyone’s commute.”

The Conservative party conference is also taking place in Manchester city centre between Sunday 1 October and Wednesday 4 October. Public transport is expected to be busier than normal and city centre roads will be subject to closure and diversions. Full travel advice is available.

For information on public transport across Greater Manchester visit www.tfgm.com, call 0161 244 1000 (7am-8pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am-8pm at weekends and bank holidays) or follow @OfficialTfGM on Twitter.

TfGM - an update on the new Trafford Park Metrolink line

Dear recipient,

I would like to provide you with an update on work to construct the new Trafford Park Metrolink line. Works planned are as follows:

-          Warren Bruce Road: from 2nd October there will be no parking along the west of Warren Bruce Road on the grass verge, this is to facilitate construction works. From 9th October there will be a permanent prohibition of waiting and loading along both sides of Warren Bruce Road from Trafford Wharf Road to Village Circle. This is to allow the construction work to take place and will also reflect the restrictions for the final highway layout.

-          Waterside: the temporary prohibition of waiting and loading will become permanent from 9th October.

-          Mosley Road: the current temporary one way on Mosley Road north of Village Way has been extended until mid-November due to unforeseen circumstances.

-          Third Avenue: the temporary one way on Third Avenue came into force on 5th April for a period of six months. The works are ongoing and the order will continue to remain in force for a further six months.

-          On 26th September, the first gas venting took place as part of the gas main diversion work on Village Way from Mosley Road up to Park Way. Three more venting sessions, lasting up to two hours each, will take place this week and next.

-          Village Circle - as part of the phasing of the works around Village Circle, the existing controlled signals will be turned off and each arm of the junction changed temporarily during the next phase of the works to “give-ways”. This allows the existing signals to be removed and the islands flattened as part of the Traffic Management for building the permanent tram and highway alignments in this area.

Please note that there will be signposted diversion routes in place for each of the above works and access to businesses will be maintained.

Please click on the relevant notices below for your information.

TPL 0001 - 3rd Avenue

TPL 0021 - Mosley Road

TPL-TWAO-003

If you have any questions or queries regarding the above, or feel you or your business would benefit from a meeting or information event, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our team at MetrolinkTPL@tfgm.com or call us on 0161 244 1555 (lines open during office hours).

Kind Regards,

Karen Aldcroft,
Public Liaison Officer, Metrolink Projects.
Transport for Greater Manchester,
2, Piccadilly Place, Manchester,M1 3BG.
Information Line: 0161 244 1555