Metrolink Funding Issues and Potential Shutdown

[Jozhua]

https://www.manchestereveningnews.c...ews/metrolink-could-shut-down-unless-18125746

Metrolink has now run into funding issues, especially due to fares making up such a large proportion of operating costs. I don't know whether the decision to give free travel to NHS & Social Care workers may have been good, considering they need every penny to run a service for them to actually get to work (although probably doesn't make much difference in the scheme of things!)

Regional leaders are considering ‘mothballing’ the network until it receives a government bail out similar to what has been offered to rail and bus operators.

Between March 2 and April 20, the number of people using the Metrolink fell by 95 pc, with tram frequency dropping to one every 20 minutes.

He said: “We’re still weeks into this now and we don’t have an answer. Metrolink, in normal times, would bring in around £6 million a month and that is now down to well below £1 million.

 

[bramling]

https://www.manchestereveningnews.c...ews/metrolink-could-shut-down-unless-18125746

Metrolink has now run into funding issues, especially due to fares making up such a large proportion of operating costs. I don't know whether the decision to give free travel to NHS & Social Care workers may have been good, considering they need every penny to run a service for them to actually get to work (although probably doesn't make much difference in the scheme of things!)

A lot of companies are now looking to the furlough scheme. Even the mighty TfL are doing it. Furloughing provides a way of getting some respite from costs.

I can’t see something like Metrolink shutting down. I wouldn’t be surprised to see shielded staff get placed on furlough though.

Like other transport operators Metrolink is going to face challenges with how it copes with social distancing.

 

[MarkyT]

A lot of companies are now looking to the furlough scheme. Even the mighty TfL are doing it. Furloughing provides a way of getting some respite from costs.

I can’t see something like Metrolink shutting down. I wouldn’t be surprised to see shielded staff get placed on furlough though.

Like other transport operators Metrolink is going to face challenges with how it copes with social distancing.

Perhaps mandating the wearing of masks on board and at stations would help protect staff and passengers, while inspiring more confidence in the safety of travelling with others. There must be a fair number of essential workers, including some in the health sector, who don't have cars and rely on the service, especially younger people and those at the lower-paid end of the scale.

 

[Ianno87]

https://www.manchestereveningnews.c...ews/metrolink-could-shut-down-unless-18125746

Metrolink has now run into funding issues, especially due to fares making up such a large proportion of operating costs. I don't know whether the decision to give free travel to NHS & Social Care workers may have been good, considering they need every penny to run a service for them to actually get to work (although probably doesn't make much difference in the scheme of things!)

Passengee numbers are down so much that they'll be significantly losing money whether or not fares were being charged for NHS workers.