A huge thank you to the many local residents who took part in the online and postal survey on public transport in the Prestwich area.

With congestion and air pollution two major issues affecting our area, having a good public transport system is vital. Many local people rely on our Metrolink and bus network to travel to work, study and to get about our daily lives.

Metrolink
We were keen to understand your views on what stops people from using the Metrolink more, and some of the current issues that face the system:

What reasons stop you from using the Metrolink more?
44% Too Expensive
22% Stations are too far away
2% Doesn’t go where I need it to go
43% Too Crowded
24% Don’t feel safe

Labour Council Leaders in GM are increasing Metrolink fares by over 18% between 2018 and 2020. Is this right?
0% Fare increase not enough
85% Fare increase too much
9% Metrolink great value for money

Do you think dogs should be allowed on trams? (Currently Banned)
39% Yes
60% No
3% Guide Dogs Only

Do you think bicycles should be allowed on trams? (Currently Banned)
44% Yes
56% No

Buses
We asked you about the bus network, in particular to get an idea about what improvements could be made when (and if) bus re-regulation happens in Greater Manchester.

What reasons stop you from using the bus more?
32% Too expensive
12% Bus stops are too far away
38% Doesn’t go where I need it to go

Across GM, what should be the priority for improving bus services?
34% Greener Zero-Emission buses
61% Real time info at bus stops
60% Smart ticketing across bus, tram and train (single ticket for all models)
16% More segregated bus lanes

For us the really big issues here are the price and overcrowding on Metrolink. At the moment fare rises are going up 18% over three years and we are campaigning to bring the ‘third tram’ to Prestwich when the Trafford Centre line opens in 2020.

There is also clearly strong support for ‘smart ticketing’ across transport types (e.g. a card we can use on buses, trams and trains) as happens in so many other towns and cities, but clearly not yet in Manchester!

A huge thank you for all your responses to the survey and to the other issues that you have raised that we are taking forwards.

If you’ve not responded but would like to, the survey is still open here.

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