Getting in the zone with Metrolink

Metrolink customers will be able to get on board with simpler, more convenient and flexible fares from 13 January, it can be revealed.

The move will signify a key step towards a more integrated ticketing system for the region’s public transport network – one of the Mayor’s manifesto pledges and a pillar of TfGM’s 2040 Transport Strategy.

Metrolink is the UK’s largest light rail network, with more than 42m journeys currently made a year. By simplifying the fares system and offering better value for money, it’s hoped more people will be encouraged to leave their car at home and try the tram instead, helping to tackle congestion and improve air quality.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, said: “The current fares and ticketing system in Greater Manchester is complex and undoubtedly a barrier that prevents some people from making the most of our public transport network.

“I’m keen to see a system that is simpler to use, more convenient and offers passengers more for their money – something that zonal offers Metrolink customers and which we’re now able to introduce. This new zonal structure is important as Greater Manchester moves towards an integrated, London-style public transport system.

“However, to make significant change and give people a real alternative to their car we need something that works across our buses, trains and trams. The ‘Take Control of Transport’ campaign is so important and I urge all those who live and work in Greater Manchester to get behind it.”

The four zone system will cut the thousands of current stop-to-stop fare combinations to just 10 zone-based fares, and bring Metrolink in line with many other European tram networks that have similar structures.

Details of the zones and fares can be found at www.tfgm.com/zones.

Beelines network planning workshop - Walkden and Little Hulton

Dear Salford cycling and walking forum members,

The next Beelines network planning workshop will be Walkden and Little Hulton on November 27th, 6-7pm at Walkden Gateway Community Room 1.

Anyone who lives in or visits the area is welcome.

Please spend some time before the workshop thinking about where rat runs are, where crossings are needed, which journeys you're happy to walk or cycle, and which ones you're not! Ideas for improving the traffic-free network and additional links to it are also very welcome. We're also keen to hear about any other issues that prevent you from walking and cycling such as lighting, pavement parking, speeding etc.

We're expecting ward councillors to attend so this is a good opportunity to show them there's demand and enthusiasm for improved walking and cycling infrastructure in the area.

Please spread the word.

Anyone who wants to come along to learn how to facilitate a network planning event (perhaps in order to hold your own where you live!) is also welcome to attend but, ideally, let me know in advance by email - catriona.swanson@salford.gov.uk

Kind regards,

Catriona

Important Information – Saturday 24 November travel advice

Important Information – Saturday 24 November travel advice

This Saturday (24 November), there are a number of events taking place in the Trafford area, which will result in increased journey times for all road users.

First, Sale Sharks host Northampton Saints at the AJ Bell Stadium (KO 1pm). This is then followed by Manchester United vs. Crystal Palace at Old Trafford (KO 3pm).

Additionally, industrial action is taking place on Northern services on the day. This means there will be very few trains running before 9am and after 6pm.

The Human League are also performing at the Manchester Arena that evening.

Plan ahead and know your options:

Roads in Trafford and the surrounding areas, including the local motorway network, will be extremely busy and there may be additional road closures and diversions in place.

Check our travel advice for all three events below:

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

·        https://tfgm.com/travel-updates/ajbell-stadium/sale-sharks-v-northampton-saints

·        https://tfgm.com/travel-updates/manchester-united/manchester-united-v-crystal-palace

Please feel free to share this information to anyone who you feel would benefit from receiving it. You can find out more by following us on Twitter @OfficialTfGM.

Kind regards

TfGM Customer Information Team

Become Bike Smart this Road Safety Week

Greater Manchester’s road users are being encouraged to be more aware of cyclists and motorcyclists this Road Safety Week (November 19 to 25).
More than a third (37%) of all deaths and serious injuries on roads in the North West in 2017 were bike riders. On average, a cyclist or motorcyclist is killed or seriously injured every hour on British roads.

Drivers are being encouraged to be ‘Bike Smart’ and to be more aware of bikes by:

• Slowing Down: Give yourself more time to spot danger and react.
• Doing the Dutch Reach: Avoid ‘car dooring’ cyclists by using your opposite hand to open the door. This forces you to look behind you so you can check for approaching bikes.
• Turning your head: Take time to look properly for bikes before you pull out at junctions.
• Leave 150: Leave at least 150cm between your vehicle and a bike when overtaking.
• You’re not a bike!: Never stop in bike boxes at junctions, and don’t drive or park in cycle lanes.

Peter Boulton, TfGM’s Head of Highways, said: “Last year 788 people were killed or seriously injured on Greater Manchester’s roads, which is 788 too many. It is our long-term aim to reduce this number to as close to zero as possible. To do that we are making our roads safer by building more dedicated cycling and walking infrastructure and managing traffic more intelligently.

“Another fundamental part of this is encouraging better driver behaviour. That is why we are supporting Road Safety Week and these clear tips to drivers on how they can be more aware of their fellow two wheeled road users. They’re simple, intuitive and easy to remember and if people follow them they will save lives.”
Road Safety Week is coordinated by the road safety charity Brake. You can find out more at: www.roadsafetyweek.org.uk#BikeSmart

In a recent study carried out by insurance firm, Insure the Box, it was also revealed that motorists are more than 30% more likely to be involved in a road traffic accident the first four weeks after the clocks go back.

Early bird catches the tram

A new festive, cut-price Metrolink offer – benefiting early birds and night owls – will launch on Monday in a bid to help tackle congestion on our region’s roads.

By offering discounts for those able to travel outside the busiest times of the day, the ‘Early Bird’ products are also set to appeal to the thousands of seasonal, part-time and shift workers that will be recruited during the busy festive period.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is piloting the ‘Early Bird’ products as part of the Mayor’s Congestion Deal, which encourages people to try to change their travel behaviour to reduce congestion across the city-region.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “Congestion is a major problem that is affecting people’s lives on a daily basis.

“Additional trams and tram lines, improved cycling and walking infrastructure and the Manchester and Salford Inner Relief Route works will all help in the long run, but they will take time to bear fruit.

“The Early Bird is one of a range of measures being introduced to help improve things here and now and in advance of the busy festive period, making it easier for people to re-time their journey and avoid the traffic by trying the tram.”

As set out in the Mayor’s Congestion Deal, employers are being encouraged to introduce flexible start and finish times for their workforce to encourage people to travel outside of the traditional peak times, when congestion and crowding on our roads and public transport network is most likely.

Available every weekday until Christmas Eve and exclusively on the get me there app, there are two options available for customers:

Early Bird - £1: Unlimited travel on all Metrolink tram services from start of service until 7.30am.

Early Bird Plus - £3: Unlimited travel on all Metrolink tram services from start of service until 7.30am PLUS unlimited travel between 1pm and 3.30pm and unlimited travel from 7pm until end of service.

Both products are available to buy from the start of service until 7am. These fares apply to travel across all parts of the network during these times, offering a real saving to those who are able to travel outside the peak.

The app is free to download from Apple and Android app stores – just search for get me there. More information is available at www.tfgm.com/earlybird.

Data and analysis of the early bird ticket offer will be used to help inform a possible longer-term ‘pre-peak’ ticket offer.

Remembrance Day travel advice from TfGM

People travelling this Sunday (11 November) are advised to plan ahead as Greater Manchester remembers those who have died in the line of duty.

Metrolink services will stop shortly before 11am as the nation observes a two-minute silence to mark Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday.

There will also be a number of minor changes to tram services for the Remembrance Day event taking at St Peter’s Square.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has created a special travel advice page containing all the relevant information and a bespoke walking route map to help people get around the city centre.

Towns across the region will also be holding their own parade and service, which may result in some localised road closures and bus diversions.

Later on in the day, old rivals lock horns again as Manchester City host Manchester United at the Etihad (kick-off 4.30pm).

A crowd of 55,000 is expected with roads and public transport likely to be busier than usual.

Given the ongoing Manchester and Salford Inner Relief Route work, (MSIRR) motorists are reminded to allow more time for their journeys and consider using public transport where possible.

Head of Customer Engagement, Sean Dyball, said: "We want everyone travelling to any of the events taking place on Sunday to get there on time so they don’t miss a minute.

"Transport is expected to be much busier than usual, particularly around the city centre, so it's important people allow a little extra time for their journeys.

"On the day we will be doing our utmost to help our customers – including monitoring the road network with our 24 hour control centre – and we will look to push out real-time journey information through our social media channels".

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.