In a major U-turn the Bee Network has announced tram travel to the AO Arena gigs will now be included with event tickets for the rescheduled Co-op Live concerts.
On Thursday evening (May 2), it was announced that A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie will be performing at the AO Arena on Saturday following the postponement of his gig at Co-op Live just minutes before it was going to take place after a piece of air conditioning unit fell from the ceiling during a soundcheck.
In a further update, Take That also announced that their original run of shows at Co-op Live next week would now also be held at the AO Arena. The announcements came after bosses at the £365m venue put a pause on scheduled events until May 14 to ensure further safety inspections could be carried out.
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Those who had tickets to the originally scheduled shows at Co-op Live were told that their ticket would, during the arena’s opening season, include the use of shuttle buses to and from the city centre as well as full use of the Metrolink system for four hours before and after their attended show.
As part of the initiative, Co-op Live said on its website: “Fans will be able to use Metrolink from four hours before and up to four hours after (depending on the timing of each show) with a valid arena event ticket. The initiative will be active across all four Metrolink zones, allowing people to travel at a time most convenient to them.”
The Bee Network initially said the Metrolink scheme would not be available to those attending the rescheduled shows at the AO Arena and travel to the venue was not included with event tickets.
In a post on X the Bee Network added that the Metrolink initiative was funded by Co-op Live to ‘help fans reach the venue from the city centre’ and that the AO Arena is situated in the ‘heart of Manchester’ as part of the Victoria Station complex and easily accessible by rail, tram and bus.
The travel update ignited fury among many ticket holders who argued that if travel was included for the Co-op live shows it should also be included for the rescheduled shows.
Not including travel costs in the tickets for the rescheduled gigs also meant that those who had planned to travel from areas outside of the city centre to get to the Co-op Live venue, and now the AO Arena, would have to pay for travel they would have otherwise got included in their ticket price.
In an update this evening the Bee Network has now announced that tram travel to the AO Arena gigs will now be included with event tickets.
A post on X by the Bee Network (May 3) says: “We’re pleased to confirm that tram travel to the @AOArena will be included with event tickets for the rearranged Co-op Live concerts.
“This is valid for travel on tram for four hours before and after the A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and the five Take That concerts next week.”
The change has already received praise from music fans.
Commenting on the Bee Network’s post, one person said: “Thank you for changing your stance on this. It is appreciated. It’s not our fault they changed venue.”
Another added: “Nice move I applaud you! Still some good in this world.”
TfGM’s customer and growth director, Fran Wilkinson, said: “While the travel offer for concerts at Co-op Live was funded by the venue, we recognise it has been a challenging week and want to make travel for events that have been re-scheduled to take place at the AO arena over the next week as easy as possible for fans.
“We have therefore decided to honour free travel by Metrolink for anyone with a ticket to A Boogie Wit da Hoodie or Take That, and hope everyone going has a great time.”
