A range of replacement bus services will run through Manchester city centre and along the Eccles via MediaCityUK Metrolink line during summer transformation work.
From Sunday 26 June to the end of August there will be changes to Metrolink services as the transformation work draws to a close at the new St Peter’s Square stop and essential track maintenance takes place along the Eccles line.
A combination of Metrolink and replacement bus services will ensure transport links across the tram network are maintained while there are no tram services through St Peter’s Square.
During the first phase, from Sunday 26 June to early August, the following bus services will run:
· The X1 service will operate at peak times only (Monday to Friday, 7am-9.30am and 3.30pm- 8pm) calling at Piccadilly, Trafford Bar and Cornbrook.
· The X2 service will operate all day (to first and last tram times) calling at Piccadilly and Deansgate-Castlefield and most stops along the Eccles via MediaCityUK line.
· The X3 service will operate at peak times only (Monday to Friday, 7-10am and 3.30pm- 8pm) calling at Piccadilly, Trafford Bar, Cornbrook and MediaCityUK.
Bus services will depart approximately every ten minutes, together providing an enhanced service every five minutes between Piccadilly, Cornbrook and the MediaCityUK stop in peak hours.
Passengers will need to have a valid Metrolink ticket or pass before boarding the bus.
Replacement bus services will be continually monitored and reviewed to help ensure they meet customer needs.
Alternatively, there are facilities available to support people who choose to switch to cycling during the service changes. Secure, covered cycle parking with swipe card access is available at the 300-space MediaCityUK Cycle Hub and at Eccles Cycle Hub next to Eccles railway station. For more information and to register for the Cycle Hub membership scheme, see www.tfgm.com/cycling.
Peter Cushing, TfGM’s Metrolink Director, said: “It’s a big summer of change on Metrolink as we get ready to open the new St Peter’s Square tram stop and carry out essential track maintenance on the Eccles line.
“We’ve planned Metrolink and replacement bus services very carefully to make sure we’re providing good transport links right across the tram network. We’ll also be signposting and promoting a walking route through Manchester city centre.
“All the details are now available both online and across the tram network leaving plenty of time to plan your journey before the changes start.”
TfGM will open a new, much larger stop in St Peter’s Square at the end of August. When the new Metrolink Second City Crossing opens next year it will allow more trams to run through the city, more often.
As finishing works take place at the new stop, Metrolink services through St Peter’s Square will be suspended from Sunday 26 June to the end of August, meaning no north/south cross-city tram services will operate.
During the same period, from Sunday 26 June, Metrolink operator MRDL will replace sections of track on the Eccles line, which is now 16 years old. Tram services are expected to resume between Deansgate-Castlefield and MediaCityUK in early August, with the full line reopening at the end of August.
Train services from Eccles and Patricroft rail stations to/from the city will operate as normal.
For detailed Metrolink and replacement bus service information please visit: www.transformationinformation.co.uk/summer-changes. Follow #tramchanges on Twitter and @MCRMetrolink and @OfficialTfGM for updates.
