Co-op Live and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) have today announced the extension of a free transport initiative. Bosses have confirmed that ticket holders heading to gigs at the new music venue will have their tram travel included with the price of admission until the end of July.
Fans with a valid arena event ticket can use the Metrolink from four hours before, and up to four hours after (depending on the timing of each show). The initiative remains active across all four Metrolink zones.
The initiative was first announced in March, and covered both tram and city centre shuttle bus travel. One-third of the 400,000 visitors to Co-op Live from April travelled by public transport.
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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 one million fans opting for sustainable travel options over the next 12 months.
“Alongside recent partnership announcements, it further cements our dedication to give back to the planet, to our local community, and to our fans, and I couldn’t be prouder to be working with such incredible businesses and organisations in doing just that.”
The extension comes as post-event data has shown that more fans are opting to use the Metrolink network rather than travelling by car, and as Co-op Live anticipates that over one million fans will utilise sustainable travel options over the next 12 months.
It also follows the recent announcement that The Climate Pledge has joined Co-op Live as its official sustainability partner and as presenting partner for the newly developed CityLink walking route. The walking route was unveiled during Co-op Live’s first test event in April and represents a £3 million investment in the CityLink pedestrian route that was first opened to tie in with the Commonwealth Games in 2002.
It features a host of new elements to keep revellers entertained, in a bid to encourage people to walk to events at the new Co-op Live Arena or to Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium. Features dedicated spots for buskers to perform on event days, as well as a stunning new mural created in the first ever collaboration by artists Stan Chow and Akse which is billed “a love letter to Manchester.”
The route also include a large light arch, which is fitted with sensors monitoring how many people walk to and from the venue, and shows the numbers on a digital screen. On event days, a giant LED “halo” appears above the arena, showing which artist is playing, so fans will be able to get pictures here to commemorate their trip.
Fran Wilkinson, Customer and Growth Director at TfGM, added: “We are delighted that we have been able to work with our partners at Co-op Live to extend this ground-breaking 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.”