TfGM Metrolink annual ridership more than doubles in past decade

Since 2010, the number of annual passenger journeys on the Transport for Greater Manchester’s (TfGM) Metrolink network has more than doubled, rising from 19.2 million in 2010 to 45.5 million in 2019.

The same period also saw a large-scale expansion of the network, known as Phase Three, which boosted the size of the network significantly from 39km in 2010 to 97km in 2019 while adding 55 new stops to the existing 38. The number of trams has also grown from 36 in 2010 to 120 in 2019, with more planned to come in 2020.

New signalling systems have also been introduced, enabling real time passenger information on stops, as well as apps, new ticket vending machines and payment improvement schemes – such as zonal fares and contactless payment – with the aim to make travelling by tram even simpler for customers.

TfGM’s Head of Metrolink, Danny Vaughan, said: “Metrolink is a fantastic light rail system that has played a major role in regional development and as we look back over a decade of significant achievement.

“Success on this scale doesn’t happen by chance. It’s a reflection of a lot of hard work and almost £2 billion investment over the last 10 years and, as a system entirely owned, managed and run at a local level, it’s a blueprint for how Greater Manchester could run other transport systems in the future.

“The future also looks bright, as we await the opening of the Trafford Park line in April 2020, the arrival of new trams before the end of the year and explore new pathfinder schemes for expansion and tram-train technology. 

“As we continue to grow and carry more people, there’s no doubt Metrolink’s future as a world-class transport network is assured.”