TRACY TRAIN
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metrolink drivers
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mr double 77
Member
No problem, thought you was starting in the rail industry Tracy ? Or has the role turned your head
TRACY TRAIN
Member
Wish I was starting anywhere to be honest 
mr double 77
Member
Have you applied for a role ? I'm currently a driver with Metrolink it's a great company to wrk for so keep at it
beavercreek
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Yes a great company to work for and a job for life.
TOCDriver
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You're correct there, and with the expansion that is going on, they'll need many more people to operate it. Having said that, what's the issues with Cornbrook lately? They seem to be having a hell of a lot of technical problems.
topgunrobins
Member
Passed medical today, just waiting to hear from Metrolink to find out when I start, can't wait.
Well done on being accepted. I passed the medical 2 weeks ago and am due to start 16 Dec. Can anyone answer a couple of questions?
What is the shift rota for metro link like? - do you do 1 week nights, 1 week earlies etc or does it vary each day?
What is the process for applying for leave - how far in advance do you have to book it, is there set percentages for how many drivers can be off at anyone time?
Thanks
What is the shift rota for metro link like? - do you do 1 week nights, 1 week earlies etc or does it vary each day?
What is the process for applying for leave - how far in advance do you have to book it, is there set percentages for how many drivers can be off at anyone time?
Thanks
beavercreek
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We follow a 102 week rota and your rest days vary.
As a rule we do a few days or a week of early turns then late turns followed by middle turns.
Here are the earliest and latest start/finish times.
MON-THURS 0430-0130
FRIDAY and SATURDAY 0430-0240
SUNDAY 0530-0030
The shift length varies from 5-9 hours but you average out at 7.5 hours per day.You can swap your rest days and shifts with other drivers but you must allow 12 hours between shifts.
You can work your rest days as overtime but there is a limit to how many days you can work without a day off.
When booking time off, you need to give 2 weeks notice for a single day off or a months notice for week or more.Obviously if you require an emergency day off then this rule can be broken.
Metrolink allow 10% of drivers to be on annual leave at anytime.This is about 25 drivers per day.Most of the premium days in July and around Xmas get booked up first but as more trainees come through, some days become available again.
Well done on getting through and welcome to the team.
Any further questions then feel free to ask.
topgunrobins
Member
Hopefully I should start on 16th December too.
How long after you passed the medical did you get your start date?
I am waiting anxiously for postman every day!
How long after you passed the medical did you get your start date?
I am waiting anxiously for postman every day!
beavercreek
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- 18 Nov 2011
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Do Not Pass If Train Ahead.
Wait till week 7 when you start on route knowledge.
You will have to know all the signal numbers, type of signals, point numbers, ground frames, number of routes taken from a signal, and speed boards.
Congratulations to them waiting for start dates.
topgunrobins
Member
Where's my contract, suspense is killing me!
beavercreek
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Patience ladies and gentlemen.
I would say that you will start around the middle/end of January.
I would say that you will start around the middle/end of January.
topgunrobins
Member
I was told when we did the tests the start date was 16th December.
I have just spoken to them but no one was available in HR so left a message and they will ring me back tomorrow.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
They are sending my contract out end of December early January.
Start date is 17th February.
Oh well was hoping to start next month, been with Stagecoach over 10 years sure I can do another couple of months.
I have just spoken to them but no one was available in HR so left a message and they will ring me back tomorrow.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
They are sending my contract out end of December early January.
Start date is 17th February.
Oh well was hoping to start next month, been with Stagecoach over 10 years sure I can do another couple of months.
topgunrobins
Member
Do Metrolink drivers get free use of public transport when commuting to and from work?
What is the pay up to at the moment?
What is the pay up to at the moment?
185
On Moderation
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Pay deal has just gone through. Not sure what drivers rate is now.
Free transport on Metrolink for you, spouse and dependants is included. Outside of that, Greater Manchester bus and train operators may accept Metrolink Staff Travel Cards, but it is advisable to ask first out of politeness.
Metrolink in return (unofficially) carries all manner of rail staff and bus company personnel whose passes are equally not valid.
mikeolsen
Member
£30k would sound reasonable - is tram easier to operate and drive than a standard double-decker bus?
I think the new pay deal takes the basic salary to just over £25k.
TOCDriver
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I would rather operate the tram than the bus, anyday of the week. And I'm sure the tram drivers would agree. Plus the bus driver is in direct contact with the public; the tram driver is more isolated and is therefore in a much less stressful position. The bus driver, being paid that much less, defo gets the s**t end of the stick.
topgunrobins
Member
Sounds good, I was planning on using the train while on my training course, would be surprised if they allow me free travel.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
£25k! it was 23 something when I had my interview, big rise
Do you know what new starters will get?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
£25k! it was 23 something when I had my interview, big rise
Do you know what new starters will get?
Yes to safety shoes; you will need to provide your own however the company contribute to them (£25 IIRC) on production of a receipt.
Officially, we only get free travel on Stagecoach when in uniform (a reciprocal agreement); unofficially I've used my pass on Stagecoach buses and Northern Rail when off duty - and I've heard some drivers have used them on TPX quite happily as well. One commutes from Southport every day and apparently NR staff let him travel free. Much of this is all 'unofficial' though so always check with the guard before boarding a service - don't just assume.
Officially, we only get free travel on Stagecoach when in uniform (a reciprocal agreement); unofficially I've used my pass on Stagecoach buses and Northern Rail when off duty - and I've heard some drivers have used them on TPX quite happily as well. One commutes from Southport every day and apparently NR staff let him travel free. Much of this is all 'unofficial' though so always check with the guard before boarding a service - don't just assume.
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