
Greater Manchester Passenger Executive (GMPTE) appointed the MPact-Thales consortium to design, build, and maintain the Phase 3B extensions in August 2010.
"The Metrolink expansion is the single largest investment in public transport in Britain outside of London," says Councillor Andrew Fraser, chair of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, which is overseeing the investment on behalf of GMCA. "It will deliver a legacy for Greater Manchester that will regenerate and transform key district centres and provide new connections to the labour market for businesses. As such, it will play a vital role in keeping the region's economy growing now and long into the future."
Earlier this year LRVs began operating on the new 2.8km line from Trafford Bar to St Werburgh's Road, and a 400m branch off the Eccles Line to Mediacity UK. The new 6.3km line from Piccadilly to Droylsden, the 22.5km route from the city centre to Rochdale will open in stages, with Central Park operational by the end of the year, Oldham Mumps by March 2012 and Rochdale Railway Station by next summer.