German trams could ease overcrowding

Commuters face regular overcrowding on the network

German trams could be used to ease the overcrowding on the network in Manchester.

Talks have started with public transport groups in Bonn after plans to use old trams from San Francisco were abandoned.

Manchester Metrolink had bought two old 'Streetcars' from the American city for a combined cost of £30,000.

But they discovered modifications needed to use them would prove too expensive.

Bonn's trams could be seen on the streets by 2004

Manchester's tram network is especially popular with commuters travelling from outlying areas of Greater Manchester into the city centre.

Currently it serves routes from Bury to Altrincham and from the city centre to Eccles.

The network is also set to expand over the next few years.

Manchester Metrolink project director Geoff Inspik said the German trams would be better suited to the network's needs than the US models.

He said: "We believe there's a very good chance that they will work and we can modify them and get them into service in 2004.

"That is some two or three years earlier than otherwise we would have to wait."