Decade of the tram

That's the Metrolink system which has notched up its first decade of operation and proved to be a runaway success.

Since the supertram began its first journey from Bury on April 6, 1992, it has emerged as one of the most successful transport systems in the UK.

Last Friday (April 5), Victoria Station in Manchester was the scene of the tenth anniversary celebrations.

Events included a special continental breakfast for guests and commemorative tickets for passengers.

A jazz quartet entertained commuters, and staff and officials connected with Metrolink throughout the last decade came together to mark the anniversary.

Guest of honour was Transport Minister John Spellar.

He said: "Metrolink is a real success story, having proven to take car journeys off the road and carrying twice the number of passengers as the original heavy rail lines that ran from Manchester city centre out to Bury and Altrincham."

Councillor Roger Jones, chairman of Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority, added: "Metrolink is a high quality, efficient and sustainable way to travel and I am especially pleased that we are going to see more of it around the country.

"Plans for expansion of the system are well under way and Metrolink should be serving Oldham and Rochdale, East Manchester and Ashton-under-Lyne and South Manchester and the airport within the next six years.

"Not only this, but a further extension to Trafford Park could also be included if funding can be found from the private sector."

Tenders have also been invited for the extension to East Didsbury and the Lowry Centre.

And if Government powers are granted in time, then an extension to Stockport could also be considered as part of phase three. Coun Jones added: "Metrolink was an ambitious plan and I am very grateful to all those people who have worked so hard to turn it into a reality over the last ten years."

Phase one, which runs between Bury and Altrincham via Manchester city centre, carries around 13 million passenger journeys a year, some 30 per cent higher than original forecasts. And phase two, on the Eccles line, will eventually carry five million.

Costing around £145 million to build, the project was jointly funded by Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (£69 million), Department of Transport Section 56 Grant (£48 million); European Investment Bank (£15 million) and European Regional Development Fund (£13 million).

Since its launch in 1992, Metrolink has become an integral part of the city and other Greater Manchester towns it serves.

Metrolink, which links Manchester's main railway stations Victoria and Piccadilly to the towns of Bury, Altrincham and Eccles, has revolutionised the way people use and view public transport in Greater Manchester.

Effectively a public sector and private sector partnership, Metrolink's design, build, operate and maintain contract was the first of its kind for a public transport system in this country.

The contract enabled the public sector to define the primary features of the system and the private sector was awarded the contract to carry out the detailed design and construction of the network, as well as its operation and maintenance for a period of 15 years.

Although there have been complaints about ticketing and over-crowding, Metrolink has generally been well received by the public.

And that is illustrated by the fact that passenger numbers have grown considerably as more and more people take to the Met.