THOUSANDS of Metrolink passengers were riding trams for free again today after transport chiefs granted them a second fare holiday.

They were given two days of ticket-less travel as a ‘thank you’ for putting up with disruption during a £22m upgrade of the city’s track.

Passengers rode for free last Saturday as well as today – a move timed to coincide with the opening on Manchester’s Christmas markets last night.

A senior councillor, who called on Metrolink bosses to have the second free day, hailed the decision as a success.

Annual event

Coun Pat Karney, Manchester council’s city centre spokesman, said he would now be urging Metrolink to make the free travels days an annual event.

Metrolink’s city centre section closed in April and reopened on November 2.

Engineers replaced the track and overhauled stops at St Peter’s Square and Piccadilly Gardens.

Transport bosses have been encouraging people to make the most of the free services.

They say they will continue to consider initiatives that promote public transport.

All available staff were being deployed to stations to ensure staff to assist passengers.

Patience

Coun Keith Whitmore, the chairman of the Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority, said: “The two free days we are funding this month are our way of thanking passengers for their patience while we carried out major improvements to the city centre tracks.

“All the revenue raised from Metrolink ticket sales goes right back into operating, expanding or improving the system, so we have to be sure that decisions like this aren’t made at the expense of the network.

“There is also the cost to the Authority to bear in mind, as we are already committed to subsidising a wide range of socially essential bus services and to keeping concessionary fares as low as possible.

“However, we will continue to consider initiatives that promote public transport and support the Greater Manchester economy.”