Manchester's Co-op Live arena is an impressive venue, but a major problem is emerging for concertgoers attending late-night shows: getting home on public transport. With many train and tram services ending around 11:30 pm on weekdays, fans face a tight race against the clock or expensive alternatives.
The 32-minute dash from seat to station
Simon Coyle, content editor at the Manchester Evening News, attended The Strokes' show at the venue on Monday, October 26, their first Manchester performance in 20 years. He described the arena as having "flawless sound" and noted Julian Casablancas telling the sold-out crowd of 23,000 people: "It feels like we are playing in a movie."
However, as the show finished at 11 pm, Coyle found himself checking the clock. The last train home from Manchester Piccadilly to Wigan was leaving at 11:32 pm, leaving just 32 minutes to walk or take the tram to the station, which he described as "nigh on impossible."
Limited late-night options across the region
Weekday last train times from Manchester include 11:35 pm to Rochdale, 11:32 pm to Stalybridge and Ashton, 11:13 pm to Altrincham, and 11:40 pm to Salford Crescent. Some later services exist, such as the 12:09 am to Blackpool North, 12:15 am and 12:53 am to York, and roughly hourly services to Manchester Airport.
Tram services are similarly limited, with the last from the city centre to Altrincham at 11:55 pm, to Oldham and Rochdale at 11:00 pm, to Eccles at 11:37 pm, and to East Didsbury at 11:39 pm, though they run later on Fridays and Saturdays.
Costly alternatives and venue advice
Unable to catch public transport, Coyle opted for an Uber, initially quoted £100 immediately after the show. Waiting 30 minutes and walking into Ancoats halved the fare, but it still cost far more than a train ticket. For drivers, the Official Vertu parking nearby costs £25 and must be pre-booked, with park-and-ride options at Ashton Moss and Ashton West.
Co-op Live's website encourages fans to use public transport to reduce the venue's carbon footprint and advises that all main performances are expected to finish by 23:00, adding: "We strongly advise that fans plan return travel in advance of arriving at Co-op Live, and in line with operating hours across public transport networks."
Transport bodies respond
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said they work closely with Co-op Live to ensure people get to and from the venue quickly. They installed new turnstiles at the Etihad Campus stop over the summer to manage larger crowds. The last tram from Etihad on Sunday to Thursday is 12:49 am, and 1:49 am on Fridays and Saturdays.
A TfGM spokesperson said: "We have worked closely with Co-Op Live since it opened to ensure the Bee Network can get people to and from shows as quickly, safely and easily as possible, including increasing Metrolink service frequency in the evenings when demand is at its highest." They added that platforms at Etihad Campus are generally clear within 45 minutes, and recent changes have improved post-event connectivity to Victoria and Piccadilly, including round-the-clock buses from Thursday evening until Sunday morning.
Northern, which operates local services and manages Manchester Victoria Station, said discussions are underway to run services later into the night. A Northern spokesperson said: "We are in discussions with Transport for Greater Manchester and industry partners about potentially running later train services for passengers in Manchester, as part of the Bee Network."
Co-op Live and Network Rail, which manages Manchester Piccadilly, have been approached for comment.
