Tram service is a real smooth operator

9:00pm Sunday 23rd September 2007

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PASSENGERS have given the revamped Metrolink line the thumbs-up, describing the journey as "smoother and quieter."

The trams got back on the tracks between Bury and Manchester last week following a two-month closure of the line.

Rails more than 50 years old have been replaced to reduce noise and make rides less bumpy, while trams have been given a much-needed clean.

Stagecoach, which now runs Metrolink, has promised more improvements over the next 12 months, including new ticket machines that will accept card payments and a new look for the trams themselves. The Bury Times asked passengers arriving in Bury on Friday if they could notice the improvement made since the closure of the line back in July.

Lauretta Smith (64), from Crumpsall, was travelling to Bury to do some shopping.

She said: "You can tell that they have done a lot of work cutting back trees and bushes and tidying up the land along the track.

"It looks a lot nicer and hopefully that will discourage vandalism along the line. You see things looking clean like this abroad - it was about time we smartened up our act too." Norman and Mavis Yarwood, from Eccles, travel to Bury regularly to visit the market. Mr Yarwood said: "The trams seem to take the corners a lot better now: you don't get thrown about all over the place like you used to. It's a good ride now."

Rhiannon Warren (26) commutes from Whitefield to Bury for work at Bury College.

She said: "I was quite happy with the replacement bus but the trams will always be better because they are faster and more regular.

"The journey is a lot smoother now. Between Whitefield and Bury, the trams used to shake quite violently and you would see people who were not used to it gripping their seats, wondering what was going on.

"The trams seem cleaner, too. There will always be papers littered everywhere but at least there's no chewing gum on the seats now."

Harvey and Vera Jacques, from Sale, were in Bury for a family day out at the market with daughter Nicola Davies.

Harvey said: "It used to be very noisy and I always feared that the tram was going to come off the track. I felt a lot calmer making the journey today. It felt a lot safer.."

Steven Grayshon (20), from Prestwich, was heading into Bury to meet friends.

He said: "It's a lot nicer to take the tram now.

"The trams seem cleaner and the journey is definitely a lot smoother."

Oliver McFarlane (34) and young Kenzie Jones (23 months) were also impressed.

Oliver, from Radcliffe, said: "I'm really glad the trams are running again because the bus is no good when you've got a kid with you.

"The trams are really good for Kenzie now. The journey is very smooth and easy, and he's happy"