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March 15th, 2005
11:28 am - I want this to come up with people search for 'METROLINK' or TRANSPORT and MANCHESTER
Sent this letter to the GMTPE people today. We'll see if anything comes of it...
To whom it may concern,
I'm writing to complain about the Metrolink's appalling service, which
only seems to be getting worse. Each month I pay approximately 47
pounds on top of a 60 pound Greater Manchester rail card. This amount
of money goes to fun the incredibly short return journey from
Deansgate to Exchange Quay, which is approximately 1.4 miles as the
crow flies. Keep in mind that the journey from Wigan Station to
Deansgate is roughly 25 miles. For my train ticket I pay approximately
6-10 pence per mile. That's not pounds. Very reasonable, wouldn't you
say? Now, whilst Northern rail's lateness track record is well below
expected, they still manage to keep the morning trains running. I
rarely miss connections and it's rarely the train that makes me 30
minutes late.
Contrast the above information with the Metrolink. It costs me around
an extra 47 pounds a month to use the trams. Which comes to about
.75-80 p per mile straight to get to work everyday. Now, the trains
have a low estimate of about 88% on time or something. As far as I can
tell, the Metrolink has no goals for timetables. From my own records,
which have a margin of error, I am late for work more than 10 minutes
approximately 3 days a week. For the record, I'm basing this off the
tram that is supposed to arrive at GMex (Deansgate to train riders)
around 8:45 ish, arriving at Exchange Quay around 8:55 to 9:05. I use
the trams around 230 days a year. Guessing I go to work for about 46
weeks (including Christmas and annual leave) at 3 days per week I'm
late, that comes to around 138 days per year I am late to work as a
direct result of the trams not functioning properly. Percentage wise,
that comes to 60%. Around 60% of the time, there is either no tram or
delays. In case you missed math, that's more than half the time. Now,
keep in mind that per mile the Metrolink costs me around 8-10 times
more than the train system but it is late more often with no goal
posts?
Finally having it, I called the Metrolink 'customer service' number
today and the woman on the other end told me that the trams are
broken, never to return and that it's your fault for not giving them
enough money. She also told me it's going to take 13-14 months to
build new ones even if you stop being so Scrooge-like. So, why not
shift some into the time slot? We can't, is all she would say. I find
it spectacular that light rail could get screwed up so fundamentally.
It's supposed to be cheaper (HA,) environmentally friendlier (who
knows,) and more efficient (BIG HA.) As you can see above, it's missed
the boat for at least 2/3. So, what exactly, do you plan on doing
about it?
Edit, the reply:
Our Ref: CR3626
17 March 2005
Thank you for contacting GMPTE, with your concerns regarding the Metrolink
service.
As you may be aware, GMPTE acts as a facilitator for certain aspects of
public transport within Greater Manchester, but does not operate the services
themselves. These are all operated by private companies, on a commercial
basis, and whilst GMPTE owns the Metrolink system, it is the private sector
operator, SERCO Metrolink who have the contract to operate and maintain all
aspects of the network.
Your comments have however, been logged and forwarded to the GMPTE
Metrolink team for appropriate attention. You should expect their full reply
within 15 days of the date of this letter however, should you wish to contact
them directly the telephone number is 0161 242 6789.
Thank you again for bringing this matter to my attention and should you have
a problem in the future please do not hesitate to contact me.
And my reply:
That's a refreshing point of view, Metrolink seems to think it's your
fault because you don't give them any money and you're saying it's
Metrolink's fault. How novel! I'm stunned, really.
Well, I appreciate you fobbing me off, especially after all my
complicated math. That 'copy and paste' operation you've just
performed was probably very, very taxing. In the mean time, I'm going
to be freezing my extremities off at Exchange Quay, trying to get
home. You wouldn't know what that's like, would you? You probably
drive.
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