CO-OP LIVE AND TRANSPORT FOR GREATER MANCHESTER EXTEND INTEGRATED METROLINK TRAVEL UNTIL END OF JULY 2024

Co-op Live and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) have today announced the extension of their ground-breaking sustainability initiative. The successful integrated travel offering, which has already seen thousands of ticket holders enjoy integrated travel across the Metrolink tram network, will continue until the end of July 2024. 

As part of Co-op Live’s ongoing commitment to sustainable travel and funded by the venue, 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, allowing people to travel at a time most convenient to them.

The extension of the initiative comes as 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.

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. 

Images of the CityLink presented by The Climate Pledge are available here.

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.

Fans will be able to access relevant event travel information on the dedicated page on TfGM’s website. 

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.”

Fran Wilkinson, Customer and Growth Director at TfGM, said: “We are delighted that we have been able to work with our partners at Co-op Live to extend this groundbreaking 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.”