At the start of 2012 Metrolink prices went up by as much as 13% on some tickets, well above the current rate of inflation which is around 3.6%.

Since this increase if fairs you would expect that the additional revenue would pay for the improvement of the service but take a look at the Manchester Evening News headlines from the beginning of the year onwards:

Stuck on a Metrolink tram ... again

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/comment/blogs/s/1487853_stuck-on-a-metrolink-tram--again

Commuters and football fans face travel chaos as Metrolink service suspended on Altrincham line due to points failure

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/transport/s/1487832_commuters-and-football-fans-face-travel-chaos-as-metrolink-service-suspended-on-altrincham-line-due-to-points-failure

Metrolink chiefs review plans to replace 'unreliable' older trams after four break down in a fortnight

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1471553_metrolink-chiefs-review-plans-to-replace-unreliable-older-trams-after-four-break-down-in-a-fortnight

Metrolink fails again: Broken tram at Prestwich brings more delays to commuters

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/transport/public_transport/s/1471522_metrolink-fails-again-broken-tram-at-prestwich-brings-more-delays-to-commuters

Metrolink bosses apologise after latest tram failure on Mosley Street

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/transport/public_transport/s/1471295_metrolink-bosses-apologise-after-latest-tram-failure-on-mosley-street

Passengers frustrated after another day of tram delays, but Metrolink bosses say: 'We're trying very hard'

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/transport/public_transport/s/1471228_passengers-frustrated-after-another-day-of-tram-delays-but-metrolink-bosses-say-were-trying-very-hard

Metrolink commuters hit by yet more delays as tram fails at Piccadilly

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/transport/public_transport/s/1471043_metrolink-commuters-hit-by-yet-more-delays-as-tram-fails-at-piccadilly

More Metrolink delays for commuters after points failure at Cornbrook

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/transport/public_transport/s/1471004_more-metrolink-delays-for-commuters-after-points-failure-at-cornbrook

Commuter delays as Metrolink system grinds to a halt - 24 hours after the last breakdown

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/transport/public_transport/s/1470436_commuter-delays-as-metrolink-system-grinds-to-a-halt---24-hours-after-the-last-breakdown

Its not a good set of news stories is it? To be honest I don't mind paying more if it meant the service would improve, but it obviously isn't. If you need to start work in the city at 9am, you need to aim to be getting on the tram at about 7.30 for a 25 minute journey as the morning trams are so full at 8:00 you have to cram yourself in like a tinned sardine. The newer yellow Metrolink trams have even less seats, just to take more away from any chance of a comfortable journey.

Double trams would be a great solution to this problem, but I have yet to see one at peak times. The earliest I have seen them is 08:50 when the congestion has eased.

Another infuriation is that is so easy to get on a tram without paying, and during peak times there are no inspectors to be seen. Are the honest passengers having to pay more to cover the cost of the dishonest ones? Seriously, how much would it be to install something as simple as a turnstile at the entrance of each station? It seems like the only solution Metrolink have to these problems is to charge people more to cover the lost revenue.

Like me, many people now rely on public transport to commute into work as drivers have been priced out of parking in the City Centre on a daily basis [this includes Sundays, thanks Manchester City Council!] and we are all getting frustrated.

Am I being harsh on the service? What do you think? Let me know your views in the comments section