08.04.20
Manchester mayor to offer free Metrolink to NHS and healthcare staff
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham announced today (Apr 8) in his weekly virtual press conference his plans to provide free tram travel for NHS staff and social care workers, as a thank you for their service during the coronavirus outbreak.
According to the Mayor, he had been lobbied by MPs from across GM to provide the free passes for NHS staff, with his office opting to extend the offer to social workers too.
From Saturday April 11 2020, the tram network in and around Manchester will be free for them to use, as Mr Burnham described it, as “a small gesture of [thanks] for everything they are doing right now”.
The free travel will only apply to journeys to and from work.
Manchester has been one of the areas of focus for coronavirus efforts in the UK, with the city’s Manchester Central convention centre being converted into an NHS Nightingale hospital, set to be 'up and running' this week and the announcement that the region has brought in over six million items of PPE equipment.
This is the second instance of proactively addressing the coronavirus outbreak with a weekly press conference to keep the region informed, alongside the national briefings occurring daily.