TRANSPORT IMPACTS OF GREATER MANCHESTER\u27S METROLINK LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM.

Greater Manchester\u27s Metrolink ‘light rail’ system was designed to attract more passengers than its ‘suburban rail’ predecessors by providing congestion-free access through the heart of Manchester\u27s city centre. ‘Before’ and ‘After’ Surveys were used to measure the impact of Metrolink Phase 1 from Bury through Manchester to Altrincham. Control areas were used on similar continuing British Rail suburban lines to isolate Metrolink\u27s impact from other temporal changes. Metrolink has attracted more passengers than forecast, especially in the off-peak periods, despite unemployment rising by half. Many more car users than forecast switched to Metrolink and car traffic volumes fell in the Bury corridor in the peak time and in both corridors in the off-peak