Pet dogs will be allowed on Metrolink for the first time ever as part of a three-month pilot that’s launching next month.
It’s long been a talking point of Manchester dog owners and it was even teased to be happening earlier this year, but now finally, in less than two weeks time, a new scheme – which was a manifesto pledge made by Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham – will be delivered by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and operator Keolis Amey Metrolink (KAM) to finally let our four-legged friends travel on the tram with us.
It’s the first time in the Metrolink’s 30-year history that dogs will be allowed on the trams.
From Monday 1 August, all non-assistance dogs will officially be allowed to travel on the network for free – but they will need to be kept of leads, and TfGM says dog owners using the tram will need to follow new rules on safety, cleanliness, and the consideration of others.
To help decide if the scheme should be extended or made permanent, all Metrolink passengers – including those without dogs – are being urged to share their views and experiences during the pilot.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We want the Bee Network to work for everybody and for public transport to be as accessible as possible,” Mayor Andy Burnham said ahead of the pilot.
Pet dogs will be allowed on Metrolink from 1 August as part of a three-month pilot / Credit: TfGM
“Running a pilot scheme allowing non-assistance dogs on Metrolink was one of the pledges I made when I was re-elected as mayor, and I want to thank TfGM and KAM for working together to make this a reality.
“I would now urge everyone who uses Metrolink during this period, including dog owners and those without dogs, to take part in the survey to provide us with the valuable insight we need to inform whether or not we make this permanent.”
TfGM says that throughout the pilot period, passengers bringing their dogs onto trams will be expected to adhere to new guidance.
ADVERTISEMENT
The rules are:
Metrolink will allow a maximum of two well-behaved dogs per passenger without charge, but you will be liable for their behaviour.
Dogs must always be kept on a short lead and under control at all times.
Your dog is your responsibility – if your dog is involved in an incident concerning another passenger or member of the public, you will be liable.
Please keep your dog away from assistance dogs and the disabled boarding points.
Make sure you and your dog board and alight the tram together, and be wary of trapping the lead in the door.
If your dog makes a mess on the tram, stop, or anywhere on the network, you will need to clean it up and inform a member of staff where possible.
Dogs are not allowed on seats while travelling on the tram.
Do not let your dog sit under the seats, as there are heaters and other systems which could harm them.
Be considerate of others on the Metrolink network who may be frightened of dogs, or who may be allergic to dog hair.
Be aware of your dog’s needs – bring water and treats for your dog if you need to, but also make sure you have poo bags and wipes so that you can clean up after any mess your dog makes, on or off the tram.
It’s the first time in the Metrolink’s 30-year history that dogs will be allowed on the trams / Credit: Northern
A survey for all Metrolink users to have their say will be made available on the TfGM website when the scheme launches.
A decision on whether dogs will be allowed on trams on a permanent basis will depend on feedback.
Ahead of the scheme launching in a couple of weeks, Danny Vaughan – Head of Metrolink at TfGM – said: “A scheme allowing non-assistance dogs on Metrolink was a manifesto commitment made by the mayor and over the past few months, we have worked with KAM to make this happen.
ADVERTISEMENT
“While passengers with dogs will be very welcome on Metrolink, please respect other passengers and our staff by keeping your dog under control.”
You can find out more about the pilot on the Metrolink website here.
Police confirm man was arrested ‘on suspicion of making an explosive device’ in Gay Village
Daisy Jackson
Police have confirmed that the man who was detained in the midst of an incident in the Gay Village yesterday was arrested on suspicion of making an ‘explosive device’.
A huge cordon was in place in the Canal Street area in the city centre on Monday 11 May, after members of the public reported a ‘chemical smell’ coming from a hotel at around 10.45am.
Emergency services attended the scene and found chemical substances in a hotel room.
The man, who was believed to be the occupant of the hotel room, was detained at the scene.
Greater Manchester Police have since confirmed that he was ‘detained on suspicion of making an explosive device’ and was taken into custody for questioning.
In an update shared yesterday, they wrote: “The response to the incident on Canal Street in Manchester city centre is being reduced following reports of chemical substances being found.
“Emergency services examined items within a room inside a hotel following calls from the public at about 10:45am.
“A man, believed to be the occupant of the room, was detained on suspicion of making an explosive device and is currently in custody being questioned.
“Chemical substances found in the room have been examined and are in the process of being safely removed. The subsequent examination ruled out any explosive risk.
“We are working with the hotel management to return the establishment to normal after staff and guests were evacuated as a precaution.
“Staff from the fire service’s Hazardous Materials and Environmental Protection team remain in attendance to conduct tests and ensure the area is safe.
“We would like to thank the public and surrounding businesses for their patience as we continue with our work.”
No trams to run on major Greater Manchester line for two weeks as part of £150m improvement works
Emily Sergeant
Major disruption is on the horizon, as no trams are set to run on a major Greater Manchester line for two weeks this month.
As the next phase of the ongoing £150m investment into Greater Manchester’s tram network gets under way this month, essential track replacement work is set to be be carried out in a bid to make the network ‘safer’ and ‘more resilient and reliable’ for years to come.
Due to improvement works on the Oldham-Rochdale line – which is being carried out between Monsall and Newton Heath & Moston – there will be no trams between Manchester Victoria and Rochdale town centre for two weeks, starting from this Saturday 16 May right through to Friday 29 May.
The work being carried out will involve replacing sections of track and improving drainage along the route.
The track foundation will also be replaced where needed, as well as work to correct the alignment and level of the track.
No trams will be running on a major Greater Manchester line for two weeks from this weekend / Credit: TfGM
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has conceded that this is a ‘big and complex job’ – with 290 new concrete sleepers and 2,000 tonnes of pea gravel being used, and more than 5,000 tonnes of ballast set to be replaced.
But, when the work is done, it’s aiming to make journeys ‘smoother and more reliable’ for passengers, while improving the condition of the track for the long-term.
While the work is being carried out and the line is closed, bus replacement services will be in place between Victoria and Rochdale Town Centre, and more frequent Bee Network bus services will also call at the bus stops near each tram stop too, however tram tickets will only be accepted on the replacement bus, not on numbered bus services.
Elsewhere, work at Derker will also take place at the same to ‘minimise disruption’.
The track was made safe following a landslip in summer 2024, but now, a longer-term solution will see teams drive steel sheets into the ground to hold it in place and prevent further movement, before further work will be needed later in the year to complete the job.
And to top it off, from Monday 25 to Friday 29 May, improvement work to update equipment that has been in place since the line opened in 1992 will also take place at Piccadilly Gardens, and that means no trams will run between St Peter’s Square/Market Street and Piccadilly during this time.
Customers may need to change trams, take a short walk, or hop on the free bus to continue their journey.
Tram services will resume as normal from the start of service on Saturday 30 May, and passengers travelling during this period are urged to ‘plan ahead’.
Everything you need to know about the planned works is on the TfGM website here.
Emily Sergeant -
21st July 2022 
