METROLINK has become a victim of its own success, according to a rail watchdog body.

The good news is that the pioneering light rapid transit system accounts for more passenger journeys within Greater Manchester than all other train operating companies together.

But, despite its runaway success, the Rail Passengers Committee (RPC) North Western Committee is pressing for some extra improvements to help commuters.

In its annual report for 2000-2001, the RPC has disclosed that "through ticketing" with other public transport operators within the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) area and wider afield is "patchy and incomprehensible". The organisation's Metrolink sub-committee report states: "Which PTE station-to-PTE station ticket is available via Metrolink is still arbitrarily decided by the tram and train operators.

"It is possible to book from outside the PTE (Birmingham, say) to a Metrolink station, but not vice-versa, and long-distance passengers having to change stations in Manchester cannot purchase a 'via Metrolink' ticket."

However, Metrolink has co-operated with local transport companies in a bus/tram and bus/rail/tram day ticket.

Another observation by the sub-committee is that there are no facilities to purchase tickets using national Railcards or with other discounted fares.

On a separate issue, the report adds: "Real time information does not extend over the entire network and at Piccadilly Station there is no indication of the platform from which the next tram to Piccadilly Gardens will depart. However, the issue of tram timetables by the PTE has been of help."

Commenting on Metrolink travel costs, the sub-committee went on: "The PTE has no control over fares, apart from concessions, which are set by the franchisee using their commercial judgement, and we feel there should be some measure of fare control in a new franchise.

"Metrolink fares, particularly in the peak, tend to be higher than fares for equivalent journeys on the franchised PTE rail network."

But overall, the RPC receives relatively few Metrolink-related complaints.

The document continued: "Metrolink has indeed become a victim of its own success, generating significant numbers of journeys, for both peak and off-peak times but, sadly, not having the capacity to adequately accommodate all of these."

Meanwhile, the RPC has welcomed the news of a "big bang" extension of the Metrolink system to Oldham and Rochdale, Ashton, the airport and possibly east Didsbury and Stockport.