Co-op Live and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) announced earlier this year a ground-breaking initiative which saw travel on Metrolink included in all arena event tickets for free from 20 April to 30 June 2024, during the brand new venue’s opening season. However, Co-op Live ticketholders will be happy to know that the scheme will continue until the end of July 2024 after the integrated travel offering saw thousands of ticket holders make use of the Metrolink service.
As part of Co-op Live’s commitment to sustainable travel and funded by the venue, fans are able to use the Metrolink from four hours before and up to four hours after (depending on the timing of each show) with a valid arena event ticket. The initiative remains active across all four Metrolink zones, allowing people to travel at a time most convenient to them.
The introduction of trams every six minutes, all day from Monday to Saturday, and later trams on a Friday and Saturday, promises increased capacity between the city centre and the Etihad Campus tram stop.
The extension of the initiative comes as post-event data indicates that more fans are opting to use the Metrolink network rather than travelling by car, and as Co-op Live anticipates that over 1 million fans will utilise sustainable travel options over the next 12 months. This initiative complements the development of the ‘CityLink’ walking route – a ‘significant’ upgrade to the existing link between Holt Town tram stop and the Etihad Campus.
Including free tram travel with all Co-op Live event tickets will help to ensure fans can make a quick and easy getaway at the end of the night, whether they’re heading back home or into the city centre to enjoy further attractions. To claim travel across the network, all fans must be in possession of a valid event ticket, which they will need to show on request.
Commenting on the initiative, Rebecca Kane Burton, Interim General Manager, Co-op Live, said: “We are over the moon to see the positive results of our collaborative sustainable travel initiative with Transport for Greater Manchester, and very pleased to be able to extend the offer of integrated tram travel until the end of July 2024 as we look towards over 1M fans opting for sustainable travel options over the next 12 months.”
Fran Wilkinson, Customer and Growth Director at TfGM, said: “We are delighted that we have been able to work with our partners at Co-op Live to extend this groundbreaking tram travel offer.
“More than 400,000 people have visited Co-op Live since the initiative was launched in April – with a third travelling by public transport. It’s great we can offer a safe, sustainable and quick way to get to the venue and we look forward to welcoming more concertgoers on board in July.”
Fans can access relevant event travel information on the dedicated page on TfGM’s website.