Co-op Live and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) have extended the free travel between the venue and the city centre.
Fans with a valid arena event ticket can use the Metrolink from four hours before across the Metrolink tram network for free until the end of July 2024 and remains active across all four Metrolink zones, allowing people to travel at a time most convenient to them.
Post-event data indicates that more fans are opting to use the Metrolink network rather than travelling by car, and as Co-op Live anticipates that over 1M fans will utilise sustainable travel options over the next 12 months. It 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.
In another incentive to use public transport, or walk, car parking at the venue is priced at £25 per car.
The ‘CityLink Presented by The Climate Pledge’ walking route reimagines fans’ journeys from the city centre to the Etihad Campus, home of Co-op Live and the Etihad Stadium. It marks more than £4 million of regenerative investment in East Manchester, delivered in partnership with Manchester City Football Club and Manchester City Council, and promotes the use of sustainable travel to and from the all-electric arena.
Integrated tram travel with all event tickets offers a sustainable alternative to driving, and ensures that fans can make a quick and easy getaway at the end of the night, whether they’re heading back home or into the city centre. To claim travel across the network, all fans must be in possession of a valid event ticket, which they will need to show on request.
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 1M 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.”