An initial study into the feasibility, cost, and benefits of several potential routes has identified the Manchester – Bredbury – Marple line as the most economically viable route for the region's first tram-train line.
Other routes under consideration include:
• Manchester – Hadfield/Glossop
• Manchester – Atherton – Wigan
• Manchester – Sale – Altrincham – Hale/Knutsford
• Manchester – East Didsbury – Hazel Grove, and
• Stockport - Altrincham
TfGM says the introduction of tram-trains would facilitate more frequent services and give stations on the mainline network better access to Manchester city centre. It also suggests that farebox revenue would meet a higher proportion of operating costs, making these services financially self-sustaining.
At present the only tram-train scheme planned in Britain is the £58m Sheffield – Rotherham pilot project, which is due to begin operating in 2015.
