METROLINK fares will not rise until August 2015, says Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee.
"While these works will deliver significant long-term benefits for all Metrolink users and the wider city region, we do recognise that they can cause short-term disruption for some passengers."
The decision has been taken by Council leaders and transport bosses as substantial improvement works continue to cause disruptions for passengers across the 57.5 mile tram network.
Metrolink
There are currently major works underway at Victoria, Deansgate-Castlefield and throughout the city centre on the Second City Crossing (2CC) - which will see trams leave St Peter's Square and travel down Princess Street, Cross Street, Corporation Street and through Exchange Square to Victoria.
Once work expanding the Deansgate-Castlefield station draws to a close in summer 2015, a major new four-platform tram stop will be built in St Peter's Square.
A new Metrolink station is also planned for Exchange Square, which will see an island platform (similar to the Market Street station) open outside the Next store adjoined to the Arndale shopping centre.
The Second City Crossing is due to open in 2017.
The price freeze announcement follows an embarrassing weekend for Metrolink which saw almost all services suspended on Saturday 13 December during one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
Metrolink services are severely delayed on all lines. Please see the Metrolink website for additional information regarding bus services.
— Manchester Metrolink (@MCRMetrolink) December 13, 2014
#metrolink no trams due to adverse weather conditions!!! Shame on you it's Manchester not bloody Moscow!
— Deborah Snowden (@DeborahS31) December 13, 2014
Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, said: “A substantial amount of improvement works have already been carried out across the Metrolink network and we would like to thank our customers for their patience while these works have taken place.
“This transformation is, however, ongoing and while these works will deliver significant long-term benefits for all Metrolink users and the wider city region, we do recognise that they can cause short-term disruption for some passengers.
“In response to this we have taken the decision to freeze fares for as long as possible, which means there will be no price rises on paper products until August next year and no price rises through to 2016 for those people who adopt Get Me There once it becomes available.”
In January 2014, Metrolink fares increased by an average of 4.2%.
For more information visit www.transformationinformation.co.uk.
