Metrolink ticket prices are to be frozen until the end of August 2015 due to the “substantial” amount of improvement works taking place on the tracks.
And travellers who use the new get me there smart tickets when they become available next year will see their fares frozen until 2016.
Council leaders and bosses at Transport for Greater Manchester have taken the decision in the light of the comprehensive work being done across the network at the moment.
That work includes the Victoria and Deansgate-Castlefield stops and the Second City Crossing (2CC) tramline being built through the city centre.
When work finishes at the Deansgate-Castlefield stop next summer, a major new four-platform tram stop will be built in St Peter’s Square, closer to Mosley Street. A new Metrolink stop is also being created in Exchange Square as part of the 2CC programme.
Below: The 2nd City Crossing will see the tramline extended through Exchange Square in Manchester
Councillor Andrew Fender, chairman of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, said: “A substantial amount of improvement works have already been carried out across the Metrolink network and we would like to thank our customers for their patience while these works have taken place.
“This transformation is, however, ongoing and while these works will deliver significant long-term benefits for all Metrolink users and the wider city region, we do recognise that they can cause short-term disruption for some passengers.
“In response to this we have taken the decision to freeze fares for as long as possible, which means there will be no price rises on paper products until August next year and no price rises through to 2016 for those people who adopt get me there once it becomes available.”
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) reviews Metrolink fares annually, with any increases taking effect from the start of the working year in January.
For information and updates on the transformational 2CC programme, visit transformationinformation.co.uk.
Meanwhile, Metrolink’s ‘Kids Go Free’ weekend offer has been extended after the weather led to part of the tram network being suspended on Saturday morning.
The ‘Kids Go Free’ offer ran for the first two weekends in December, giving free travel to children whose parents download a voucher at metrolink.co.uk/christmas.
Children – who need to be accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket or pass – will now also be able to travel for free with a voucher on the entire Metrolink network in the final weekend before Christmas on December 20 and 21.
