Replacement bus services will be in operation on three Metrolink lines this weekend due to engineering works.
The work involving the replacement of points systems at the Deansgate-Castlefield mean no trams will run between Chorlton, Stretford and the city centre on Saturday and Sunday (March 5 and 6).
Whilst services on the Airport, Ashton, Eccles and Rochdale will also be amended with some terminating early.
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Replacement bus services will be running between Chorlton and Victoria on the East Didsbury line, Stretford and Piccadilly on the Altrincham line and Wharfside and Piccadilly on the Trafford Centre line.
They will run every 10 minutes on Saturday and 12 minutes on Sunday.
Manchester City take on rivals United the Manchester derby at the Etihad on Sunday (March 6), kicking-off 4:30pm.
Alongside the tram replacement buses, a shuttle bus service is being laid on between the East Didsbury tram stop and the Etihad Stadium, especially for match-goers.
The double-decker buses will depart from East Didsbury every ten minutes from 2:50pm and 3:10pm, returning every 10 minutes from 6:30pm to 7pm from the bus stop on Ashton New Road outside the stadium after the game.
They will not stop anywhere en route.
Danny Vaughan, TfGM’s Head of Metrolink, said: “Our contractor, KeolisAmey Metrolink, is replacing a critical set of points at Deansgate Castlefield over the weekend. This work will improve the reliability of the network.
“Unfortunately, it requires some disruption on Saturday and Sunday as trams from the south of the network will have to stop short of Deansgate Castlefield. There is also preparatory work overnight from Wednesday March 2.
“A strengthened tram service will be in place for the Manchester Derby – with trams running between Bury and Ashton.
" There will be a 6-minute double tram service from Piccadilly to Etihad.
“A bus replacement service will be in place throughout the works, with services running from Stretford and Wharfside stops to Piccadilly, and from Chorlton to Victoria. An additional bespoke shuttle service from the Park and Ride at East Didsbury to the Etihad Stadium will be in place before and after the match on Sunday.
“I’d encourage people to check our website and social media channels for the latest travel information before travelling."
Full service changes this weekend
- Ashton line services will operate to Bury
- Bury line services will operate to Ashton
- Peak-time Bury line services will operate to Piccadilly
- Altrincham line services will operate to Old Trafford (every 10 minutes)
- Rochdale line services will operate to Exchange Square
- Peak-time Shaw services will operate to Exchange Square
- Eccles line services will operate to Cornbrook
- East Didsbury line services will operate to Firswood (every 10 minutes)
- Airport line services will operate to Firswood (every 10 minutes)
- Trafford Park line services will operate to Wharfside (every 10 minutes)
Bus replacement services will be operating between:
- Chorlton and Victoria
The first replacement bus service from Chorlton will be at 6am on Saturday and 7.12am on Sunday.
The first replacement bus service from Victoria will be at 5.28am on Saturday and 6.34am on Sunday.
The last replacement bus service from Chorlton will be 12am (midnight) on both days
The last replacement bus service from Victoria will be 11:48pm on Saturday and 11:58pm going through to Chorlton and another two (12:10am and 12:22am) going as far as Trafford Bar on Sunday.
They will run every 10 minutes on Saturday and every 12 minutes on Sunday)
- Stretford and Piccadilly
The first replacement bus service from Stretford will be 6.07am on Saturday and 7.07am on Sunday.
The first replacement bus service from Piccadilly will be 5.41am on Saturday and 6.37am on Sunday.
The last replacement bus service from Stretford will be 12:28am on Saturday and 11:55pm on Sunday.
The last replacement bus service from Piccadilly will be 11:41pm on Saturday and 11:13pm on Sunday.
They will run every 12 minutes however, services may be subjected to delays due to traffic.
- Wharfside and Piccadilly (Every 10 minutes on Saturday and 12 minutes on Sunday)
