It was extremely disappointing to learn prior to Christmas that now that Labour are back in control of Transport for Greater Manchester, after several years of fare restraint, Metrolink fares for Salford residents were set to skyrocket. Despite a last-ditch attempt by Conservative Councillors to freeze fares, Labour ploughed on with the big rises, which have now been introduced.
However, local residents had a right to expect that the fare rises would at least be handed out equitably. Sadly, once again Salford Labour have failed to stand up to their counterparts in Manchester, and commuters in Salford have been disproportionately hit by the fare rises.
A single ticket from MediaCity:UK or Eccles into Manchester will rise by a shocking 9.37%, compared to rises of just over 7% on the Altrincham and Bury lines, and 5.71% on the St Werburgh’s Road branch. The same is true of monthly tickets, with Eccles fares rising by 8.51% compared to under 5% on Altrincham and Bury routes and only 1.88% from St Werburgh’s Road.
It is nothing short of disgraceful that hard-working families in Langworthy, Weaste and Eccles are paying through the nose while leafy Chorlton gets away with a much smaller increase. If it was the other way around, doubtless there would be much gnashing of teeth. Why has Salford got the raw deal from Labour again?
Ian, I’ve just been on the Metrolink website and found the fares on the Eccles line are quite a bit lower than on the other lines. From Eccles to Piccadilly Gardens a single is £2.50. From Dane Road and Prestwich, which are similar distances away, a single is £3.30 and £3.20 respectively.
These price rises are going to pay for a better Metrolink system and new trams, which you have to agree we desperately need as the old ones are breaking down all the time.
If you want to pick on a sector of public transport that rips off the good people of Salford, you might want to look at First Bus, or Worst Bus as most people call them. Thanks to their near-monopoly their tickets are far more expensive than those of rivals elsewhere in Greater Manchester