Andy Burnham says ‘good chance’ late night trams will return this autumn

There’s a ‘good chance’ late night trams could further operate into the early hours on Greater Manchester’s Metrolink from this Autumn, Andy Burnham has revealed.

The tram network currently runs until around midnight but the Mayor of Greater Manchester has said he wants them to run later on the weekends and has asked transport commissioner Vernon Everitt to look into the possibility. 

He revealed on BBC Radio Manchester on Thursday July 6th that trams could run later from as soon as this autumn.

Burnham received a message from Everitt while he was answering questions on his weekly radio phone-in, which he shared. 

The mayor said: “I asked him to take a look at this issue about late running and he’s just text me saying there’s a good chance we can bring it back in the autumn. I’ll try and confirm that soon.

“We’d all love to do it if we can do it prudently by not creating a bigger black hole in the budget.”

During 2019, the late night tram service was introduced for shoppers and revellers during the festive period.

The service meant that the last trams would leave just before 2am from St Peter’s Square on Friday and Saturday nights.

However, during the pandemic the service was stopped and has not been reinstated since, though there have been calls for the Metrolink service to resume late night trams again.

Lib Dem councillors from Manchester, Trafford and Salford have already put forward their proposals for late night trams to be trialled on some lines.

However, in 2022 Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said later running trams were not being considered.

When presenter Mike Sweeney quizzed Burnham even further on this topic, he said he believes the late night tram service does need to be reinstated on the weekends.

He said: “I think we do need to reinstate later running on Metrolink at the weekend.

“The only reason why I hesitate is because we’ve got a shortfall in passengers still and haven’t got the funding.

“It will happen in the future. I will bring back later running Friday, Saturday as soon as I possibly can.”