If you find yourself with an hour to spare in Manchester city centre, you’re certainly not short of options to while away the time, with plenty of coffee shops, bars and restaurants to dip into, or even activity centres like mini golf or bowling.
But each of those options requires being inside, in one spot, and most importantly, spending money. There is, as many of you will know, a way to explore the whole city in 45 minutes - and it doesn't cost a penny.
The city centre is home to a fantastic free bus service, with three routes to choose from, and for people who live or work on the route, it could save a fortune in public transport costs throughout the year.
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But for shoppers and visitors, it’s a cost-free way to navigate the city, get your bearings, see the sights - or simply get from A to B.
The zero-fare bus system was introduced in Manchester city centre in 2002, with three routes linking the major thoroughfares and stations. Currently, route one is not currently in operation from Monday to Friday as a result of roadworks.
Similarly unavailable in the daytime during the week is route three, a nightly route that runs from 7.25pm until 11.25pm.
But, free bus two, which runs from Manchester Piccadilly Station, runs seven days a week, and you’ll never wait more than 20 minutes for one.
Also known as Manchester's Metroshuttle, the free bus is a partnership between Transport for Greater Manchester, Manchester council, National Car Parks and the property developer Allied London. Allied London owns the Spinningfields mixed-use development and all three routes serve this site.
All three buses take different routes, but route two is probably one of the best, a circular jaunt around the city which brings you right back to the train station. During the week, there’s a bus every 10 minutes from the station from 6.30am to 7.10pm, and every 20 minute after that until 11.30pm.
I arrived at the bus stop shortly before 11am, and already a number of people had gathered to catch the clearly popular service. As the bus pulled up, a throng of passengers alighted, with those waiting flooding in.
The service is zero-fare and therefore, doesn’t require any tickets or passes, so everyone simply hopped on, and selected a seat. I was last on, heading straight to the back, carefully selecting a window seat so that I could admire what Manchester has to offer.
Departing from the train station via Station Approach, the bus stopped off at Chatham Street and Aytoun Street, still very much in the thick of the hustle and bustle of the city centre, before taking a right down Lever Street into the vibrant Northern Quarter.
It’s very easy to be ‘on a mission’ when walking around Manchester, not really paying attention to your surroundings, head in a phone screen or deep in conversation. It would, of course, be just as easy to sit on the bus scrolling through TikTok or reading a book - but if you pick your head up for more than two seconds, you might just spot something that will brighten your day.
Sitting on the elevated bus seat, you get to see the city in a bit of a different light. As I travelled, I made a mental note to visit the book/coffee shop hybrid on Lever Street, as the vehicle continued past record shops, secret garden bars and vintage shops on Dale Street, then Church Street.
The driver continued through the city, stopping off at High Street, Nicholas Croft, and Shudehill, a number of passengers disembarking at the interchange, with new faces joining for the journey.
As the wheels on the bus went round and round, I admired the Northern architecture of the city’s buildings. From ground level at 5ft 5, it’s easy to miss the details, but when you’re perched on a bus, you feel as though your eyes have been opened, with some seriously impressive structures to see.
And while every city has its own downfalls, Manchester still seems to carry charm and character in its backroads and closed down properties. Vibrant posters littering the walls in an urban art installation, faded ghost signs telling stories of the city’s rich history.
Our journey continued to Withy Grove, Corporation Street and Todd Street before reaching the Victoria Station Approach where travellers struggled with suitcases off the step onto the streets, a new crowd of city dwellers settling into seats as we continued past the AO Arena through the Medieval Quarter.
More stunning buildings to be admired on Deansgate, such as those housing the Slug and Lettuce, while further along, John Rylands Library looks breathtaking in the spring sun. I must admit, it’s one of my favourite places to visit in Manchester… free, too.
A left onto Peter Street and you’ve got the pick of the bars. While it’s taken around 30 minutes to get here, it’s the opportune way for evening revellers to get to the nightlife hotspot of the city without walking in high heels, paying for taxis or navigating the metrolink.
Passing the historic Midland Hotel into Oxford Street, you’ll find Manchester’s answer to the Love Lock bridge opposite Turtle Bay. Palace Theatre is welcoming ticket holders to, this week, My Fair Lady. Those visiting from out of town to see Hamilton later this year could also take advantage of this free service to get to the theatre.
Seemingly on the home stretch, the bus continued down Whitworth Street through the village, with a lovely view of Sackville Gardens, before re-arriving at Aytoun Street to conclude at Piccadilly train station via Auburn Street.
The whistle-stop tour of the city took around 45 minutes in total, and was a refreshing way to spend some free time in town. On a bright spring day, I was able to see Manchester in a new light, scout out some new spots to visit, and soak up the spirit of the city that has so much to offer.
If you fancy exploring the city by bus, you can find out all about the routes and timetables here.
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