Frustration and disappointment as electrical fault sees city centre trams grind to a halt An electrical fault stopped trams in the city centre completely, while other services have had to be changed while repairs are carried out Trams stationary amid a major power fault in Manchester (Image: Jake Lindley / Manchester Evening News ) Commuters have been left scrambling for buses and taxis after an electrical fault saw trams grind to a halt in Manchester city centre. A tram was stranded just outside Deansgate, with the pantograph that contacts the overhead wires damaged and the doors still open where passengers were forced to evacuate. The stricken tram was not alone, as others piled up from Castlefield viaduct through to St Peter's Square. In a sight like something out of a dystopian film nearly ten empty trams sat motionless on the tracks, seemingly left where they stopped. ‌ Overhead lines had been damaged by the faulty pantograph on the tram outside Deansgate, with the resulting power outage stopping services through the entire city centre. The Ashton line was suspended completely, with other lines were redirected away from the city centre. ‌ Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE Deansgate Castlefield, a normally bustling main hub for several Metrolink lines, became a ghost station. Tannoy announcements rang out warning empty platforms of the penalties of breaking the Metrolink bylaws. But a short walk away in St Peter's Square was a different story as throughout the afternoon passengers were left frantically considering their options. Article continues below David Marsden was hoping to catch the tram from St Peter's Square to Chorlton to get to work. A damaged pantograph at the centre of the Metrolink power issues (Image: Jake Lindley / Manchester Evening News ) "I'm going to have to pay for a taxi to get to work on time," he said. "It's Chorlton so it's a long way. ‌ "I use the tram a couple of times a week when I come into town. It's a bit frustrating." Meanwhile Vinu George was just heading on the school run before going back to work from home. He said: "It's very disappointing, I need to collect my kids from school and I'm working from home this afternoon. ‌ "I need to get to Altrincham, it's frustrating, I'm not sure what to do." For Jo Evans the incident has made an unfortunate first impression on using the tram in Manchester. Content cannot be displayed without consent ‌ "It was going to be my first use of the tram, note to self - never do that!" she said. "We were just going to use this as a convenient way to get from the centre to the outside." Commuter Jamie Bowes relies on the East Didsbury line to get to and from work, and was left scrambling for other options. ‌ "I normally would get the East Didsbury line to Burton Road," he said. "That's what I've been doing for a couple of years, so it's a bit of an issue for me. "I've tried to use their app and it's not giving me any results for buses. "I'm finishing at five so if they've got it working by then I'm all good, otherwise I'll probably get a taxi." ‌ As rush hour bore down on the strained network the power was restored, but commuters have nonetheless been advised to expect disruption. On the other side of town by Exchange Square trams were running up to Exchange Square before being held between there and St Peter's Square and turning round back towards Victoria. Mid afternoon saw a solitary tram pull up to St Peter's Square, where it remained as the way forward was blocked. ‌ Meanwhile up ahead at Deansgate Castlefield an engineering team were deploying specialist equipment onto the tram tracks to tackle the fault, while another got to work where the broken down tram was blocking the way. Ian Davies, TfGM’s Interim Director for Metrolink, said: "We are sorry to anyone whose journey has or will be impacted because of today’s disruption. Power has now been restored, and the cause has been identified as damage to overhead lines near to Deansgate-Castlefield Metrolink stop. "Specialist engineers will be making repairs today and staff will remain out on the network to assist passengers with their journeys. ‌ "We have had to make some changes to services while the repair work takes place." Services are resuming but have been changed to accommodate for the disruption. TfGM has warned that services will not be able to pass through Deansgate Castlefield while repair work is carried out and this will last "until end of service" on April 29. ‌ Metrolink tickets are also valid to be used on Bee Network buses. For Giuseppe Aiello this was his best option. He said: "I was supposed to go to Salford Quays, I think I might get a bus. "I use the tram quite often, I need to travel to my job so I need to know when it's starting again. Article continues below "We'll see how long it's going to take."