Computer problems delay Manchester tram extension

Metrolink's launch of a new tram extension to south Manchester has been delayed due to compatibility issues with its tram management systems, the passenger transport executive for the area has said. Transport for Greater Manchester (TGM) said the launch has had to be rescheduled because the existing system needs to be upgraded, so that it can match the capabilities of the new system. "The new system has to 'talk' to the existing system. 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," said Philip Purdy, TGM's Metrolink director. "We were able to do some preparation and commissioning this weekend but the available time didn't allow us to complete the integration testing of an upgrade." TGM said that engineers and technicians from Thales, which is delivering the new tram management system, will now reschedule this part of the testing and commissioning for the 2 July. Susan Wildman, TGM's director of communications and customer services, added: "We have said all along that this is a very technical and complicated operation and that we can only start passenger services when it's completed." All the new lines are set to be controlled by the new system. The organisation hopes that this will allow a higher number of trams to run more reliably on the network, and make it easier for drivers and controllers "to manage and respond to different scenarios". Metrolink's £1.4bn expansion and improvement programme is the largest single investment in public transport outside London and will deliver the largest tram network in the country. This article is published by Guardian Professional. For weekly updates of news, debate and best practice on public sector IT, join the Government Computing Network here.