Computer glitch delays Manchester tram extension

New system as incompatible with existing one as a PC would be to a Commodore 64

The £1.4bn extension of Transport for Greater Manchester’s (TGM) tramline service has been delayed by a computer glitch, which one of its directors has compared to connecting a modern PC to a Commodore 64.

Metrolink’s new service to south Manchester was supposed to open this week, but the failure to integrate the new tram management system with the existing one has resulted in the launch being postponed.

The new management system would allow trams to run more reliably across the entire network, said Philip Purdy, director at TTGM's Metrolink.

“The problem is that the new system is as advanced as the current system is old, so it's a bit like connecting your modern PC to a Commodore 64 and making them work together at this higher level,” he said.

The new south Manchester line is part of a £1.4bn expansion and improvement programme underway at Metrolink and represents the largest single investment in public transport outside of London.

Engineers from contractor Thales were expected to complete the integration work by early July.

TGM is currently looking for around £80m of IT services, as part of its ongong development programme.