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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Charlotte Cox

'Like sardines': Why are Metrolink running single trams in Oldham and Rochdale?

This picture was taken on the Rochdale Metrolink line - and there's not much room for social distancing.

Snapped by a commuter on Thursday and Friday last week, the two images show it was not possible for passengers to give each other space on the Rochdale via Oldham to East Didsbury line.

A commuter said: "I get on at both ends of rush hour and they are running single carriages. No one can socially distance at all, commuters cannot afford to wait for the next tram as they will be late to work.

"I made a complaint and was told they are running as many doubles as possible, however Oldham is one of the centres of the virus and people are packed in like sardines."

A Transport for Greater Manchester spokesman said they were using a mix of single and double trams across the network.

Danny Vaughn, head of Metrolink, said: "We are using all the trams available to us and running as many doubles as possible across the network.

Have you been affected by this? Have your say in the comments below

"Unfortunately, it is not possible to run every service as a double or have our entire fleet on the network at any one time."

He said regular maintenance - as well as vehicle removals due to damage or extra maintenance - also led to fleet reduction.

He added: "Services are busier than they have been for some time, but I’d like to reassure passengers we are targeting capacity where it is needed most and will continue to do so.

“We’ve all got a part to play to limit the spread of the virus and we are working hard with the operator to ensure everyone can travel safely. As well as running as many trams as possible, we have a thorough cleaning regime in place, have installed hand sanitiser at interchange stations and have information across the entire network reminding people of the latest safety advice.

"For their part, I cannot emphasise enough to passengers the importance of wearing a face covering – unless exempt – carrying hand sanitiser and thinking about how and when they travel."

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