It’s back to school next week for most Greater Manchester pupils, which will see extra cars on the roads, along with busier trains, trams and buses.
Alongside the rush back to school and work after the traditional summer holiday period, parents and commuters across the region should also take into account a number of developments on the transport network which may influence their journeys.
If you commute by car or bus, don’t forget to plan ahead for the additional traffic likely to be on the roads at peak times.
Bus passengers are also reminded that there may be some changes to bus routes and times, so it’s important to check the latest timetables. All the information about school bus services, including routes, times and fares, can be found here.
If travelling by tram, passengers will be pleased to know that Metrolink services through St Peter’s Square have now been restored after a 14-month closure, reconnecting the north and south sides of the network. As well as twin-track services through the square, the full Eccles line has now also been restored following track replacement. Full details of Metrolink services and connections can be found online.
Follow @OfficialTfGM or @MCRMetrolink on Twitter for regular travel updates and advice. For the latest information on bus service changes, check with your operator.
Travel Choices
You may find that the back-to-school period is the perfect opportunity to explore other ways of commuting.
There are plenty of choices for people who want to leave the car at home, beat congestion, or just try something different.
With more than 200 free park-and-ride spaces available across Greater Manchester’s tram, train and bus networks, mixing different ways of travelling is one of the options available. You can find out more here.
If you want to swap the car for a healthier option, why not give cycling a go? Visit TfGM’s cycling pages to access cycling advice, cycle maps and information on secure cycle hubs and Greater Manchester’s six new Cycleways.
Walking for all or part of your journey is another healthy alternative.
National Rail can help you plan journeys by train.
Advice on term-time travel to school or college is available on the Back To School pages of TfGM’s web site and includes information on concessionary fares available with the igo pass, Yellow School Bus services specifically for pupils and other school bus services that can be used by all commuters.
The MyTfGM travel page is also useful to help you plan a journey door-to-door for yourself or your child by bus, train or tram.
For information on public transport across Greater Manchester visit www.tfgm.com, call 0161 244 1000 (7am-8pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am-8pm at weekends and bank holidays) or follow @OfficialTfGM on Twitter.
