Metrolink is once again gearing up to help footy fans get to the game ahead of this weekend’s big Premier League kick off.
Manchester City will kick-off their home campaign against Sunderland at 5.30pm this Saturday (13 August) while Manchester United will welcome Southampton for their first home game at 8pm next Friday (19 August).
With all eyes on the city following the arrivals of Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola, Sky Sports News even dispatched a camera crew to the Old Trafford tram stop earlier this week to speak to Metrolink staff ahead of the 2016-17 season.
By offering quick and easy access to both OId Trafford and the Etihad Stadium on match days, the Metrolink network forms a vital part of the city’s footballing infrastructure, helping to make travel easier for thousands of fans, residents and visitors to the region on match days.
Metrolink will once again have extra trams and staff on hand to ensure fans get to and from both the games quickly and safely.
The network also helped the city achieve a score of 92/100 for transport when it was named ESPN’s Greatest Sporting City 2015.
Transport for Greater Manchester’s Metrolink Director, Peter Cushing, said: “Manchester is a massive footballing city and, for many fans, travelling to the game on Metrolink is part of the match day ritual.
“We’re looking forward to what will undoubtedly be a riveting new season and helping many thousands of spectators get to and from the game safely.
“We are expecting services to be busy this weekend, especially in the lead up to kick-off on Saturday, so we would advise fans to plan ahead and leave plenty of time for their journey.”
Due to summer transformation works there are currently no Metrolink services running through St Peter’s Square in Manchester city centre or between Eccles and MediaCityUK.
Replacement bus services are running and a step-free walking route is signposted through Manchester city centre.
For more information on Metrolink services visit www.metrolink.co.uk, call Metrolink Customer Services on 0161 205 2000 or follow @MCRMetrolink for live travel updates.
