Want to charge your phone while waiting for the bus, check the latest weather, learn about Manchester’s history or see the news headlines?
A new futurist bus stop on the approach to Piccadilly will oblige as Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), along with JCDecaux and RATP, have developed a ‘super’ shelter showcasing the latest in technology and urban design.
It has all been created by created by pioneering AUREL Design Urbain supported by celebrated art director Peter Saville, who is renowned for his work as co-founder of Manchester’s legendary Factory Records.
As consultant creative director to Manchester, Peter’s input ensured the shelter perfectly complements the city centre setting and epitomises Tony Wilson’s quotation “This is Manchester, we do things differently here.”
The shelter is a £300,000 pilot scheme which has been entirely funded by the Department for Transport from a ring-fenced capital grant with the aim of reducing carbon emissions, congestion and pollution and increase active travel.
Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, said: “This is a really exciting and unique scheme for Manchester as this pilot shelter is the first of its kind in the UK.
“One of our key aims is to provide an improved public transport network that encourages more people to choose sustainable and more environmentally friendly ways to travel – especially in the city centre.
“Research indicates that improved public transport environments – with technology built in – encourage more people to use them and that’s what we’re testing out here.
”We’ll be asking people who use this bus stop for their views over the coming weeks and more new services and facilities could be trialled here.”
