Media City metrolink station

[Xenophon PCDGS]

After all the recent happenings, what exactly is the current state-of-play with the use of this station.

It was supposed to be a high-profile station serving the new BBC complex and providing tourist links to the Imperial War Museum North and the Lowry Centre.

Publicity-wise, it has been an unmitigated disaster and I have heard stories of "unkind comments" from BBC staff who speak of the matter to date when speaking to their London collegues, who think that Manchester Metrolink is not capable of providing the type of services found on the Docklands Light Railway.

 

[umontu]

I remember seeing a video on youtube with someone questioning the point of the station being so close to Broadway. Based on that I never really saw the point in such a short spur, other than of course the money...

When using the station as well it appeared to be rather confusing to customers. Two people were stood on the North platform waiting for a tram until a man in a metrolink uniform told them "Trams don't stop there they stop on this side."

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I remember seeing a video on youtube with someone questioning the point of the station being so close to Broadway. Based on that I never really saw the point in such a short spur, other than of course the money...

When using the station as well it appeared to be rather confusing to customers. Two people were stood on the North platform waiting for a tram until a man in a metrolink uniform told them "Trams don't stop there they stop on this side."

.....and its that type of unfortunate incident that leads to the spreading of sarcastic comments being made by BBC staff to their opposite numbers in London about Media City UK metrolink station.

Thank you for the example that you have quoted.

 

[Nym]

As far as I can see with the tram stop at Media City it's only real use will be terminating 5tph short of Eccles, give a nice 10tph service on the section that doesn't require street running, but this would mean even more trams between cornbrook and manchester...

5tph Eccles
5tph Media City (Extended to Eccles in the peak)
10tph Alt'ham
10tph East Didsbury
5tph Manchester Airport
5tph Salford Reds Stadium via Trafford Centre

40tph over 2 track with (almost all) flat junctions anyone?

 

[WatcherZero]

I dont think any of them are purely flat junctions?
Altrincham line is the core route, East Manchester and Airport line passes under it to join on the correct side so one flat junction, Eccles line junction has a passunder for Northbound and a passover for Southbound so there isnt a conflicting move.

The Cornbrook stretch is being resignalled for much greater frequencies. This is the service diagram they produced.

Airport is since downgraded to 5tph but I think their working under the assumption of one day finishing the loop.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I thought Media City was to be served by diverting all the Eccles services via there during the hours when MC is open, or is that only happening while the limited service is operating?

 

[umontu]

.....and its that type of unfortunate incident that leads to the spreading of sarcastic comments being made by BBC staff to their opposite numbers in London about Media City UK metrolink station.

Too true, even my first thought, this was my first time at that station, was "why make two sodding platforms then?"

Imagine the scene for a visitor in the early days. You leave Piccadilly get on a T68 tram which is in different colours to the infrastructure. Leave the station without meeting a member of staff. Get to the junction for Broadway and see the tram slow to a crawl while the junction is manually changed followed by a short run to Mediacity where the driver has to change ends. Then on your return journey you are waiting on the wrong platform.

Doesn't put forward an idea of good presentation does it?

40tph over 2 track with (almost all) flat junctions anyone?

I read it would be 40tph through the centre as well, hence my suggestion a tunnel would be better for the 2CC as it could run faster.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

As a matter of interest, Manchester Transport have just posted their views on the last week's events concerning access to Media City UK on their site.

 

[Nym]

link?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

link?

Sorry, I am a typical old fogey when it comes to computers...I don't know how to post a link.

Just put "MANCHESTER TRANSPORT" into Google and you will find it there amonst the options, Incidentally, the TfGM site is also amonst the same options.

I really was not what the modern version of a Senior Manager is, during the last years before my retirement. My secretary/PA did everything that I required, so I now find myself regarding computers as word processors with Excel spread sheets included. Still, it gets me by.

 

[Jordy]

I'm guessing its this http://manchestertransport.wordpress.com/

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I'm guessing its this http://manchestertransport.wordpress.com/

You are quite correct

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Just a further point worth mentioning about Media City UK. and the problems with the fault on TMS, the new computerised tram management system.

A spokesman for Thales UK who have had engineers on site during the remedial works said "The service, using the new system, is now working well".

 

[umontu]

Here is a news story on the spur.
It appears the men working there are not being payed by tfgm.
http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereve...ms-in-bid-to-solve-mediacity-junction-problem