Power outage halts trams in Manchester city centre

Metrolink passengers are being encouraged to check before they travel, with a power loss causing significant disruption to services.

At around 10.15am today, Tuesday 29 April, a driver in Manchester city centre reported a loss of power and damage to a pantograph – which is used to connect trams with the overhead power lines.

A revised service pattern will be in place on Metrolink for much of the remainder of the day, while engineers repair damage to an overhead line.

While power has been restored to allow trams to operate, there remains some disruption and delays, with services unable to run into or through Deansgate-Castlefield.

While repair work takes place, the following revised service pattern is expected to be in place from around 3pm until further notice:

• Altrincham – Cornbrook
• Eccles – Cornbrook
• Manchester Airport – Firswood
• East Didsbury – Firswood
• Rochdale Town Centre – Exchange Square
• Bury – Ashton-under-Lyne
• Trafford Centre – Wharfside

Customers can use Metrolink tickets on Bee Network bus services and on some local train services whilst there is disruption. Full details can be found here

TfGM’s Network Director for Metrolink, Ian Davies, said: “We are sorry to anyone whose journey has or will be impacted because of today’s disruption. Power has now been restored, and the cause has been identified as damage to overhead lines near to Deansgate-Castlefield Metrolink stop.

“Specialist engineers will be making repairs today and staff will remain out on the network to assist passengers with their journeys. We have had to make some changes to services while the repair work takes place, and I’d encourage people to continue to check the Bee Network app, website and social channels for the latest information and advice for the remainder of the day.”

Services are currently unable to operate across the city centre and Ashton line, with services on other routes also affected. Ticket acceptance is in place for passengers to use local bus services. Metrolink staff are on site and investigating this incident, with other staff out across the network to help customers.

TfGM’s Network Director for Metrolink, Ian Davies, said: “Due to a loss of power we are currently unable to run tram services across the city centre and other parts of the network.

“We are investigating this as a matter of urgency, with operator staff on site and across the network and apologise for the inconvenience this is causing.

“Given the nature of the incident we expect this could last for some time and potentially affect peoples’ journey home from school and work late.

“We will of course keep customers updated throughout the day and I’d encourage customers to check the Bee Network app, website and social channels for the latest information and advice.”