I think Danny Red is being naive. Metrolink is increasingly in direct competetion with buses. I suspect Andanotherthing has more to fear if he lives near Ashton New Road than in Chorlton. Chorlton's has two very high frequency bus services, and I suspect the demographic is such that residents will swap between modes, and can afford to do so. Droylsden etc is poorer and so its non-motorists cannot afford to swap between tram and bus. Motorists and those young and very fit (or just adventurous) will transfer to trams, whilst non-motorists - especially those that can't walk long distances 500 times a year - will stick to the bus. However, the economics and legislation of running buses in the UK outside London, means that services will be cut in line with patronage reductions. Then, more and more will find the bus service is no longer frequent enough, and if Metrolink is too expensive and as unreliable as existing lines, they will acquire cars. Its the old conundrum in poorer suburbs; When does not being able to afford a car, become not being able to afford being car less?