It has become well-known to users of Metrolink that all is not well with the new MediaCityUK spur off the Eccles line.
Things got off to an inauspicious start when a tram hit a lamp post just a day after the opening of the new spur, and that was just the first of many problems.
We decided to look more closely at the reasons for this, and a detailed breakdown of interruptions to services through November, December and January showed ‘software issue’ as the cause over and over again. Now we can reveal that all the delays were caused by a new computerised system being trialled on the spur
Computers are supposed to make our lives easier. But recent history is replete with expensive examples – the NHS, the Passport Office, the Child Support Agency, the Inland Revenue – of software not quite doing what is expected of it.
Revealed: New computer system caused ALL MediaCity Metrolink failures
The system causing chaos at MediaCityUK is designed to keep track of all the trams on the network and make sure drivers have a clear path. It makes sense to try it out on a small spur such as this. But this is a system which will eventually be used across the network, and the idea of such glitches occurring on a grand scale just does not bear thinking about. Turning up at a tram stop, a bus stop or a train station, expecting to be delivered to your destination according to your deadline, is an act of faith. It does not take too many disappointments for people to lose that faith.
When we highlight this as a problem which absolutely must be put right to the public’s satisfaction, we do so as a critical friend.
We have been vocal in our enthusiasm for the modern tram ever since the first glimmers of the idea in the early 1980s.
Metrolink has been emblematic of Manchester’s reinvention as a post-industrial city. We campaigned for years for government cash to allow new lines to be built – the so-called ‘Big Bang’.
Though a referendum decided otherwise, we even accepted that we may have to swallow the bitter pill of a congestion charge if that would precipitate a £3bn public transport revolution, including those Metrolink extensions.
Fortunately, those extensions, to Oldham, Rochdale, south Manchester, Ashton under Lyne and Manchester airport, are now being built, with the last of them due for completion by 2016.
The end in sight is the tripling of the tram network. The computers which helps that network operate must be absolutely faultless.
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Can we ever have any faith in the comedians who are trying to run this disgraceful outfit, which is a total embarrassment to Greater Manchester? Last night, for instance, at about 5.30 pm, customers had to wait almost half an hour at Piccadilly station for a tram to Bury. There was no information displayed about the cause of the problem, and no public announcements. After about 20 minutes a Metrolink supervisor appeared but couldn't give any information about when the next Bury tram might appear. Neither did he make any apology for the failings of the system.
To add insult to injury, when the Bury tram did appear it was eventually terminated at Whitefield. What a shambles!
What do you mean by 'danger' of losing faith in our trams?
That ship sailed long ago.
Whether people have faith or not is largley irrelevant. So long as they need to get from one place to another and decline (for whatever reason) to use a car their choice is likely to be whatever brand of PT is nearest to the journey.
Firstly, Computers will never be 'faultless' and secondly the management of Metrolink would have difficulty in sitting the right way round on a toilet.
42 years ago we stuck a man on the moon, yet is seems beyond the wit of these simpletons to run a light rail network in Britain's second city. Here are some examples:
Trams with no doors to the driver's cabin, so the driver has to squeeze past passengers during the rush hour to change shift.
Trams which don't stop under the roof of the platform e.g. Whitefield and Prestwich
Poor to non-existent passenger communications "Metrolink would like to apologise to customers who are facing a delay of 12 minutes to the service" - Just tell me when the next tram is arriving.
Ticket machines with a 'Close' button to start the process of buying a ticket.
Single tickets the same price as a return.
I could go on and on
The decisions Metrolink management make sometimes beggers belief.
The only improvement noticed has been the trams in THIS winter's snow have run better than in LAST winter's snow.
When they announced the recent 'Price Changes' ( they meant 'Increses', of course ) they quoted 'an average increase of 6%' - my usual ticket went up by over 20%.
The new ticket machines were introduced - but they brought out TWO versions which mean at some Metrolink stops, the ticket machine on your side of the tracks does not issue the ticket you actually want. You have to cross the tracks to the 'other' machine to get that ticket. Who decided to introduce two different ticket machines ? Why not just ONE ticket machine that can issue ANY ticket ? Sounds a lot simpler to me.
And on quite a few ticket machines, you need to push a £1 coin in with another coin because the slot is too small for it to fit through freely.
The system could be so much better for the customers with a few 'common sense' changes.
I am not impressed with Metrolink management - how can they get it wrong so often ?
I like this, lets list all the things they do wrong, they may just read it..
Signs saying please fold your newspaper for next passenger to read, then the cleaners get on and bin them all (BURY STATION)
High pitched noise during the whole journey on certain trams
Zero attempt to stop non metrolink using the PARK AND RIDE at Bury Station
"Though a referendum decided otherwise, we even accepted that we may have to swallow the bitter pill of a congestion charge if that would precipitate a £3bn public transport revolution, including those Metrolink extensions.
Fortunately, those extensions, to Oldham, Rochdale, south Manchester, Ashton under Lyne and Manchester airport, are now being built, with the last of them due for completion by 2016. The end in sight is the tripling of the tram network."
And therein lies not one, but two truths. Firstly that the congestion charge WAS a bitter pill (albeit on that the MEN worked tirelessly to promote at the time, strangely without referring to it as "a bitter pill"!)
And secondly, that even without the con-charge, the Metrolink network will be tripled in size in about the same timeframe regardless.
Metrolink is run by Stagecoach famous in this part of town for their screaming Magic buses with few springs. What do you expect? It's a commercial outfit which also manages Virgin Trains? Google for more about it and its owners.
I'm amused at all the grumbling. Don't you Mancunians know how very lucky you are to have had the money for what will eventually be a fine system? Liverpudlians envy you .
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