Plans have been approved to retire the oldest Metrolink trams in Greater Manchester, leading to improved reliability and cost savings.
This move was not due until 2022, yet the first of the new trams is expected in 2013/14. While this is great news for passengers in Manchester, and demonstrates an unusual move to deliver early, it is also slightly questionable. Why now? Why this particular fleet? And why so far ahead of schedule?
Maybe the savings these plans offer are worth implementing the replacement immediately. If there is any spare funding, it should be used to upgrade and improve the railway.
But with fares rising and so many other possible projects available, a more thorough explanation for the change to this particular set of plans would be interesting to read.
