The increase in Metrolink fares will come into effect on 3 January 2012.

Fares will go up by an average of 6%. The increases are dependent on ticket type and journey. Some may be higher or lower than 6%. Some will not actually change.

'Next stop' fares, already in place on the new Chorlton line, will be introduced across the network to encourage short-hop journeys between stops. Short hop fares will be introduced on a line by line basis and better reflect the journey being made.

The changes will vary based on the origin and destination stops of your journey and whether you buy a weekly, four weekly, quarterly or annual ticket. However, some season tickets are not changing at all.

Season ticket fares will change for cross-city journeys to reflect the longer distance travelled compared to journeys that end in the city centre. Currently, for example, passengers travelling from Altrincham to Bury will pay the same fare as passengers travelling from Altrincham to the city centre only.

There will be no increases to weekend, family or child tickets. In several cases child fares will reduce. Child fares will have been frozen since 2007 and the price of family tickets will have been frozen since 2008. Some season tickets and daily tickets will not be changing either.

Yes. In several cases child fares will reduce.

To see how the increase will affect your journey visit our website at www.metrolink.co.uk and look at our fares calculator.

The Transport for Greater Manchester Committee.

The Transport for Greater Manchester Committee approved the rise in order to deliver the additional revenue required for the investment in improvements to the existing system and expansion of the network that will make it the largest system of its kind in the country. The expansion will create new lines to Oldham and Rochdale town centres, Ashton-under-Lyne, East Didsbury and Manchester Airport via Wythenshawe, and the Second City Crossing.

Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of the committee, said: "For passengers, there is no ideal time to increase fares but any change will always be the least it can be to meet the growing costs of running, improving and expanding the network.

"All the money we raise from fares goes back into the network in some way, but Metrolink is no more immune to inflation than anyone else and the Retail Price Index, which is the benchmark for the annual fare review, indicates how much costs and prices have changed in the past year.

"In simple terms, what cost us £100 last year now costs us £105 and we have to make up that difference."

For more information on the Metrolink fare strategy/review, a public report can be found here:
http://www.transportforgreatermanchestercommittee.gov.uk/downloads/file/4213/item_10_metrolink_fares_part_a

For passengers, there is no ideal time to increase fares but any change will always be the least it can be to meet the growing costs of running, improving and expanding the network. Over the past three years, we have replaced the track in the city centre, ensuring it is more robust in order to cope with additional services running on the new lines. We have introduced new ticket vending machines at all stops, as well as new, state of the art, trams across the network.

In addition, we have refurbished lifts and made significant improvements to stops in the city centre and on the Altrincham, Bury and Eccles lines. We've made improvements to car-parking facilities, introduced bike lockers and installed new seating and shelter facilities.

We have opened a new stop at Abraham Moss, as well as three further stops on the South Manchester line, namely Firswood, Chorlton and St. Werburgh's Road. Work continues to deliver new lines to Oldham / Rochdale, Ashton, via Droylsden, Didsbury and Manchester Airport, via Wythenshawe.

We've made improvements in passenger safety and security on the network. We've increased the numbers of Passenger Service Representatives tackling fare evasion and anti-social behaviour, as well as providing a visible presence on the network and delivering a greater standard of customer service to our passengers.

You could buy a ticket before the fares change on 3 January, but season tickets will still offer the best value for money even after the changes come into effect.

Season tickets continue to provide significant savings compared to purchasing daily tickets. They offer unlimited travel 7 days per week for the specific journey. Adult and child weekly and four weekly season tickets are available from Paypoint outlets and TfGM Travelshops across Greater Manchester (apart from short hop journey season tickets). The full range of season tickets (weekly, four weekly, quarterly and annual tickets) can be purchased from any ticket machine across the network.

For lengthier journeys a saver ticket may offer some significant savings. Saver tickets offer unlimited travel 7 days a week across the network.

The new service will run from St Werburgh's Road to Victoria.

Fares from St Werburgh's into Manchester Victoria will be up to £3.50 for an adult peak return, the full fare listing will be available on the website for when the service opens or you can contact Customer Services 0161 205 2000 for more specific information.

From Victoria to St Werburgh's Road services will operate between 05:28 to 23:28 Monday to Thursday, 05:28 to 00:28 Friday and Saturday and 06:28 to 22:28 Sundays/Bank Holidays.

More detailed information will be available on the website and on stations for when the service opens or you can contact Customer Services 0161 205 2000.

Monday to Saturday every 12 minutes.
Sundays every 12 minutes between 0900 and 1730, every 15 minutes at all other times.

We will initially be running a 12 minute frequency. Once the new Tram Management System is implemented it will increase to the previously advertised six minute service later this year.

All of the new stops are fully accessible with ramps and lift access.

Customer Services on 0161 205 2000.

Tickets can be purchased from any ticket machine from any platform to any destination.

Contact: Customer Services on 0161 205 2000 or use the Passenger Emergency Call point for assistance.

Yes, board the Eccles service and alight at Ladywell. The Hospital is approximately a 15-minute walk from the Ladywell Stop.

Yes. If you are travelling from the City board the Bury service and from Bury any service, alight at Crumpsall. If you are travelling from Altrincham, ideally you should board the Bury service or alternatively board the Piccadilly service and change to the Bury tram at Piccadilly Gardens. Travelling from Eccles, change at Piccadilly Gardens to the Bury service. The Hospital is approximately a 15-minute walk from Crumpsall station or alternatively you can take the bus from Crumpsall Lane, bus No 149, which runs quarter to and quarter past the hour.

Yes, but only in an emergency please.

The stations are monitored 24 hours a day by Control Room staff, each CCTV camera is constantly recording 24 hours a day.

TfGM, 2 Piccadilly Place, Manchester, M1 3BG, 0161 244 1000.

Under 5's travel free. Children 5 years old and above pay half fare.

Sorry, we do not operate any direct services on a Sunday you will need to change at Piccadilly Gardens.

Yes, in writing within 21 days of the date of issue, giving full details of the reasons why you feel you should not be liable to pay the standard fare. Send your letter to Customer Services, Metrolink House, Queens Road, Manchester M8 0RY

No, sorry but we do have a choice of four weekly, quarterly or annual tickets.

We always plan the service in advance and wherever possible enhance the service.

Yes, travelling from anywhere in the country you can purchase a combined ticket to any Metrolink stop, ask for this when purchasing your rail ticket.

Lost property is retained for a period of one calendar month. See the lost property section of the web site for more details.

Contact Customer Services on 0161 205 2000 or fill in the on-line comments form.

No, sorry, we do not have this facility at present.

Please write to Customer Services, Metrolink House, Queens Road, Manchester, M8 0RY

Yes, on Sundays only, unless otherwise advertised.

The ticket must state the destination as Metrolink CTLZ. Ask when purchasing your rail ticket for a Metrolink add-on stating your destination. This costs no more, but allows you to travel in the City Zone on Metrolink.

Sorry, bicycles are not allowed on Metrolink vehicles unless they are folding and fully encased.

Please write to TfGM, Legal Services, 2 Piccadilly Place, Manchester, M1 3BG or fax the details to 0161 244 1303.

Please purchase an adult fare when travelling prior to 09:30 Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).

Sorry, only 16-19 year old students attending College (not University) and who hold a current 16-19 Scholars Permit can travel at a reduced rate (see concessionary fares). The scholars permit must be carried while travelling.

Board a tram for ECCLES and alight at HARBOUR CITY.

From any TfGM Travelshop, or by posting a completed application form and a passport sized photograpgh to Metrolink Ticket Services, TfGM Travelshop, 108 Chruch Street, Eccles, Manchester, M30 0AB.

Sorry, we usually operate our normal service, however dependent on the event capacity we may increase service capacity. Contact Customer services with the event details for further information.

Board the ALTRINCHAM service, alight at STRETFORD. If travelling from ECCLES change at CORNROOK for an ALTRINCHAM tram. Passengers from Altrincham board any tram alighting at Stretford. The shuttle bus service stop is located by the car park (by Manchester bound platform). The shuttle operates every 20 minutes to the Trafford Centre, with an approximate journey time of 10 minutes.

Yes, all stops are accessible by means of a lift or ramp. The central section of the tram is an area specifically designed for wheelchairs and prams. The sign on the platform (disabled access) will tell you where to wait to board at the correct doors on the vehicle.

Board the ECCLES service and alight at HARBOUR CITY.

Sorry, there is no facility to purchase a ticket once on board a tram. All tickets should be purchased from the ticket machines located at each stop, or by purchasing one of the range of multi-modal/season tickets. It is an offence to board a tram without a valid ticket.

Contact Customer Services on 0161 205 2000, (please do not board the tram without a ticket). If you do not have access to a mobile or public telephone, please speak to a member of Metrolink staff (Inspector or driver).

We are happy for those who require guide or hearing dogs to travel with their dog. However, if you are travelling to the PDSA, please contact Customer Services.