manchester known manchester light rail system england system owned operated maintained contract million passenger journeys system network consists seven lines centre termini bury manchester airport stops miles standard gauge track making largest light rail system united_kingdom consists mixture street track shared traffic reserved track segregated traffic running alongside roadway central reservation converted railway lines operated fleet light rail system emerged failure 1970s tunnel scheme obtain central government funding light rail scheme proposed expensive rail based transport solution centre surrounding metropolitan area government approval granted network began operating services victoria april united_kingdom modern street running rail system built heritage system survived creation expansion key strategy transport planners overseen development successive projects known phases second line centre eliminate current operational end work extension station expected commence estimated operational date furthermore endorsed speculative expansion proposals new lines loop addition train technology history predecessors manchester age begun horse ceased early line municipal displaced motor buses company managed electrification executed displaced electric traction tyres streets manchester ended origins light rail system born failure obtain central government funding scheme linking existing railway systems north south city centre tunnel railway network suffered poor north south connections relying bus connections city centre means bus service victoria built 1840s rival companies cheaper land fringes city centre early anticipation stations built connecting underground railway tunnel proposed abandoned economic grounds suspended body tasked improving public transport manchester surrounding municipalities 1960s draft proposals tunnel proposed rail route beneath city centre forming new electrified railway network region despite shopping centre greater manchester county council presented project unable secure necessary funding abandoned economic grounds dropped plans greater manchester passenger transport executive successor concluded street level light rail system replace complement region heavy railways solution improving rail transport network composed officials formally endorsed scheme abstract proposals based light rail systems north_america continental europe draft mile network consisting lines presented government funding following route revisions trial february light railway rolling stock freight line adjacent funding granted strict condition system constructed phases additional funding came bank lending phase bury centre bury victoria heavy rail lines creation street level centre unite lines single mile network chosen phase heavy rail lines primarily central manchester improve north south links access city centre required parliamentary authority proceed phase obtained acts parliament greater manchester act act september following stage tender exercise greater manchester passenger awarded contract consortium composed subsidiary formed design build operate maintain phase contract approved behalf october formally signed june bury line closed stages july august rail electrified line adapted overhead line operation centre built network expansion mind victoria market street connected bury manchester overhead structures line adapted light rail upgrades signalling stations network combined headquarters depot control centre built hill queens road north victoria station cost million initially projected open september promised february began operation april service victoria bury light railway helped light rail united_kingdom network expanded victoria stop april service joined network june completing phase enabling use vehicles acquired operation queen elizabeth_ii declared open ceremony manchester july adding improve communication northern southern ceremony queen visited manchester town hall rode bury visit costing million phase expected carry million passengers year surpassed figure fiscal year year recognition passenger demands bus station manchester bombing adjustments phase design city centre modifying stop handle way traffic high street stop creating new stop interchange sections track city centre following damage road surface adjacent line phase deemed long term success peak times carried million passengers year phase extension network intended continuous successive expansion phases delivered strict order priority wanted repeat success phase converting parts utilised suburban rail network changes circumstances new opportunities combined shift government policy following early 1990s recession stalled immediate expansion phase phase proposed east west route muted uncertainty surrounding manchester bid summer olympics regeneration respectively 1990s greater manchester passenger continued acquire rights construct lines transport works act 1990s business district specifically redeveloped commerce leisure culture tourism high density business units modern housing complemented cinema complex office blocks waterfront poor public transport integration rail provision potential line early legal authority construct line acquired received millions pounds investment public consultation public inquiry resulted government endorsement autumn mile line branching stop confirmed phase funding came central government money raised greater manchester passenger transport authority private developers april consortium appointed construct responsible operate network contract provided additional vehicles signalling equipment construction work officially began july line officially opened far broadway stop december prime minister praised exactly type scheme needed solve transport problems metropolitan areas country service joined network july officially declared open anne princess royal ceremony january completion phases gave total route length miles phase predominantly privately funded cost considered phase important contribution public transport network providing fast frequent service centre competition comparatively quicker cheaper buses line slow route failed reach initial passenger targets patronage increased 2000s steadily increased popularity keeping rise passenger numbers system beginning end decade phase officials transport planners considered phenomenal success system exceeding patronage targets reducing traffic congestion roads running parallel lines consequently transport act required passenger transport executives produce local transport plans public transport priority phase expansion create new lines key transport corridors routed northeast routed east routed southeast airport line routed south manchester airport serving city manchester stadium host venue commonwealth games satisfied deliver key policy commitment faster expansion greater value economies scale lobbied central government provide partial funding upgrade current network new depot passenger information displays construct new lines single phase contract dubbed big bang worth conceding difficult bring city manchester stadium government accepted importance march announcement deputy prime minister government contribution fund phase europe remaining assembled private sector july following announcement preparatory work legal costs land acquisition construction rail bridges loss failed reduce traffic congestion centre costs phase implementation revised december commonwealth games totalling meaning required government contribution costs predicted rise concerns raised light rail nationally july secretary announced government withdrawn share funding excessive costs response highlighting legal costs demolition homes schools offices anticipation new lines track track campaign spearheaded members parliament organised lobby fund phase december announced government fund phase price investment enhancements initial funding package granted government july phase preparatory work led track renewal programme miles phase line original track causing damage vehicles discomfort passengers following negotiations central government phase funding confirmed july albeit adjustments loop splitting project stages phase elements expansion funded government investment elements requiring alternative funding source consortium composed appointed design build maintain miles new line plus new depot old mile spur new development funded separately fall phase phase dubbed little bang extension scheme approved government july final sign release treasury funds addition separately funded spur phase involved converting mile heavy rail line victoria building new mile road closed section railway construction new mile south manchester lines funded sum government funded years fare revenue loop line suburban closed october allowing work convert line heavy rail preparatory work stop heavy commenced conversion loop allowed addition new stops line including stop authorised late stage planning july phase drake street stop abandoned technical economic grounds additional funding metropolitan borough council private developer planned opening services initially delayed line months faults new digital signalling control system known designed services spur stop expected commence summer began september serving acre development creative digital mass media organisations combined theatre gallery visited tourist attraction inauguration experienced faults expanded causing chaos service delays network september february services road stop expected commence spring delayed july problems services manchester expected open spring autumn respectively problems need renew structures delayed services june miles line victoria stop opened single stage months operation services hailed huge success passengers line june september strengthening position phase raise daily originally planned open spring delayed autumn service far stop began december january contract dispute missed poor performance resulted payments construction targets services scheduled spring opening date delayed months problems implementation prompting outrage members parliament representing areas opened selected residents manchester february general public february february passenger services expanded mile stretch railway station completing phase giving total network length miles successfully implemented providing real time passenger information displays stops centre phase manchester airport phase revealed july phase split smaller phases range pushed transport planners pursue phase including attracting new passengers value economy reduction road traffic congestion regeneration improved access town centres business districts labour markets phase plans proposed extend east manchester line miles extend south manchester line miles create new mile airport line manchester airport junction road phase enacted plans drawn laid parliament approved government route extend cost street running route town centres poorly served outlying railway stations tasked funds phase sources central government july submitted bid release pound sum public transport improvements linked viable anti road traffic congestion strategies referendum held december voters rejected plans public transport improvements linked peak time weekday congestion charge agreed create raised combination levy council tax government grants contributions party funding major transport schemes region phase approved funding line line basis march august construction work phase lines began march airport line steel bridge erected motorway november following closure street stop mile route south manchester line stop section phase line open months ahead schedule completed october new service routed miles stop taking total system length miles completed street running service january addition street running service railway station town centre march taking total system length miles november network expanded mile extension manchester airport railway station bringing length system kilometres making longest united_kingdom longest light railway opened year early cost million phase second city crossing known second route centre proposed means improve capacity flexibility reliability rest system expands phases funded mile route begin rebuilt stop run princess street cross street corporation street rejoin existing line victoria station following submission planning document transport works act public inquiry held second city crossing granted approval october secretary signed october construction started early exchange square stop tracks line laid late november exchange square joined network new stop crossing december meaning exchange square service begin completion line expected operator owned operated maintained private transport firms operating maintenance contract operated maintained concession operated maintained french state owned operates bought contract august october announced bid contract starting july headed february branding public relations system wide black grey corporate branding vehicle devised revealed press launch june previously planning promotional stages system known borrowed orange brown identity august partnership ran nickname competition find short system comparable tube london underground chicago elevated transit system submissions inspired textile manufacturing historic staple industry names thread shuttle winning entry met distinctive yellow metallic silver vehicle corresponding yellow system wide corporate branding introduced manchester based designed partnership design triangle yellow chosen hemisphere high visibility reflect culture confidence optimism august meaning association supports association football selecting team month sponsor annual december celebrate soap opera 50th anniversary coronation street featured storyline explosion caused crash system fictitious event calls asking services affected transport planners describe icon integral landscape guardian describes manchester efficient loved system ownership spearheaded track campaign ownership freedom information act reveal received complaints manager players recorded special stop announcements dates play home city manchester stadium served campus stop announcements february cup fifth round tie infrastructure stops lines december network length miles stops seven lines central triangular junction gardens forms hub system lines airport line terminates manchester airport line terminates terminates bury terminates terminates terminates terminates stops shared lines interchange stations transport integrate heavy rail bus stations stop high floor platform measuring minimum metres wide accessed ramp stairs lift combination thereof low floor platforms commonly light rail world ruled system inherited high floor platforms lines heavy rail shelters stops supplied ticket machines card readers installed stop platforms ready smart card fully implemented smart card users touch touch platform reader line track standard gauge specification vehicles electrically overhead lines electricity system operator based price changed contractual requirements ensure sustainable power choosing energy supplier july light rail network electricity supplied entirely sustainable energy energy system generated depots queens road hill headquarters constructed phase served jointly control centre office space depot storage maintenance repair vehicles original proposals larger design support network expansion design obtain necessary planning permission consequently scaled acre site limited capacity light phase network expansion built second depot road old second depot occupies site warehouse house vehicles completed transfer main operational functions hill old meaning control room known housed jointly team newer depot july announced planned enhance experience travelling tapping grant urban fund provide passengers free board scheme began trial single number connected network intention rolling network spring rolled fleet wide march proposed changes expansion stop proposed provide better passenger access southern bury stop extension link network constructing branch bury line routed stop town centre proposed extension priced scheme extension january proposed loop extensions system link add spur stop town centre joining bury line near line proposed extension extend line town centre connect neighbouring towns need travel centre initial high level feasibility work undertaken officials demonstrated route technically possible expansion development plan extending road manchester ship canal opening little services train manchester proposed extension extend east manchester line train strategy january metropolitan borough adopted rail strategy proposing substantial conversion current rail train operation running interchange bus station proposed services expand consistent outlined train strategy document earlier plans discarded envisaged line extended revised plan proposes instead revised alignment link railway station town centre centre linking proposed manchester train line town centre manchester airport town centre town centre centre outline longer term aspirations establish train services town centre town centre town centre line holds powers commission new line port park centre committed funding mechanism construction drawing proposals strategic priority local transport plans transport act provision improve public access key attractions support development business freight zones reduce traffic congestion motorway raised concerns lack provision impact development offered contribute cost summer greater manchester local enterprise partnership announced fund construction line far stop centre mechanism greater manchester city deal extension developed separately estimated require open route passengers target subject satisfactory business case transport works act order public consultation november treasury confirmed funding deal trains prepared proposals extending train technology existing heavy rail network region mid line manchester manchester dual termini manchester sheffield line manchester manchester manchester estimated total funding requirement million intend proceed identification potential rail industry funding options subject review lessons train pilot scheme sheffield control costs loop airport line remains october renewed interest particularly route link create loop stop improve access centre route physically impaired motorway rolling stock operated fleet number reach introduced replaced fleet thirty operated network opening withdrawn service order compatible heavy rail stations inherited network uses high floor platform height december took delivery built initial ordered allow services increased swift range light rail vehicles design similar vehicle approval spur ordered provide rolling stock phase extensions replace existing fleet order increased december ordered provide line planned open interim supporting service centre capacity enhancements september ordered bring fleet vehicles special purpose vehicle numbered support wagon diesel powered vehicle crane inspection platform mobile workshop capacity driver passengers designed assist vehicle recovery track line repairs fleet commence operations fleet delivered provide extra modified purchased vehicles based original modifications replacing destination dot matrix displays retractable covered necessary high proportion street running close motor traffic earlier fleet similarly equipped known electrically vehicles remained essentially modifications brakes mirrors speed suit line initially vehicles permitted operate line entire fleet modified universal running program known universal running programme withdrawn april april pass opening day restored park believed kept scrapping etc incidents unlike metro systems united_kingdom high degree street interaction pedestrians motorists street running notable centre equipped standard horn warning horn number fatal incidents occurred network opening october pedestrian died collision falling tracks near june pedestrian died collision navigation road stop june pedestrian died collision near december blind man died collision near square february pedestrian died collision stop january pedestrian died collision market street stop february died collision road stop travelling service hours operation inauguration original concept operator provide service minutes bury midnight monday saturday system original operator argued adjustments citing need provide efficient commercially viable operation line vehicle running times passenger demand power limitations pattern modified minute service day doubling minute service peak periods resulting hour service pattern routes running bury manchester minutes operators required provide level service time financial penalty charge minute service pattern adopted rest network system grown heavy snowfall winter impaired services operator criticised failing cold weather procedures prompted program improve reliability performance system freezing conditions operated style vehicles night snowfall january provide normal services survey revealed passengers everyday rated service levels poor unreliable respondents particularly frustrated delays recognised older vehicles fleet outdated cause disruption agreed replace regularly system scored far better survey survey non government body found major light rail systems sheffield net lowest overall satisfaction rating united_kingdom respondents surveyed value money seating availability stations overall satisfaction average criteria believed value money compared national average january transport general manchester agreed grade seeking operate concession july second city crossing operation service pattern designated peak periods service operation instead enhanced service operating start service monday friday saturday core service running times enhanced service pattern run minute frequency bury manchester airport minute frequency line opens services run minute frequency core service pattern lines run minute frequency services operate sunday instead services shown originally set system operator set levels cover running costs cost borrowing funded expansion system receives public typically rise january rate inflation fare based division network stations fare zones persons years age persons age people disabilities qualify mandatory determined permits reduced persons years age free reduced normal circumstances tickets purchased board vehicles purchased ticket machine boarding vehicle fare estimated users users checking tickets passes issuing standard responsibility provide security assistance network greater manchester police dedicated unit responsible system original ticket machines designed announced rail passengers travelling centre use service city zone stations free passengers present valid rail ticket correctly dated destination rolled new ticket machines designed accept credit card payments permit purchase multiple tickets single transaction replaced machines designed system october announced simpler fare system comparable london fare zones preparing introduce region new system use public transport modes including services monday saturday service seven services run minutes campus peak bury east bury peak manchester airport town centre square early morning service runs minutes manchester airport combined monday saturday daytime frequency bury routes minutes bury market street sunday public holiday service services run minutes minutes times campus bury east manchester airport town centre town centre exchange square victoria early morning service runs minutes manchester airport patronage reported passenger journeys financial year million increase million previous year patronage risen steadily opening start point million fiscal year travel increased million journeys million journeys numbers fell million parts system closed upgrades recovered million fiscal year revised method calculating passenger meaning figures directly comparable previous years projects million passenger journeys year system survey revealed people use travel work use system day system commonly year olds markedly residents bury accounting commuter journeys
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