Major Metrolink improvement works: 19 October to 1 November

From Monday 19 October to Sunday 1 November, Transport for Greater Manchester will carry out major tram improvement works at Deansgate-Castlefield and Trafford Bar.

• During the works, there will be significant disruption across parts of the Metrolink network. No trams will operate on the Altrincham, Eccles and Trafford Park lines.
• Services on the East Didsbury and Manchester Airport lines will run as far as Firswood only, where customers will need to use express shuttle buses to continue towards the city centre.
• Services on the Rochdale line will terminate at Exchange Square.
• Tram services will resume on these lines from the start of service on Monday 2 November.

The key advice for anyone travelling during the works is to plan ahead, allow extra time and check before travelling. Express shuttle buses will operate calling at key locations only on the busiest parts of the network. In some areas, customers may need to use existing Bee Network bus services, rail, walking or cycling options instead. Capacity has been boosted on key affected routes, including the 263.

If you normally purchase a Tram season ticket but are unsure at this stage as to what journeys you will make during the disruption, we advise purchasing alternative ticket options during this period of disruption as alternatives such as the £2 bus fare may be cheaper. Ticket acceptance is in place for annual, monthly and weekly Metrolink season ticket holders on affected Northern rail and Bee Network bus routes.

The works are needed to replace track near Trafford Bar and Cornbrook, helping Metrolink services continue to run safely and reliably in the future. They form part of a £150 million investment programme to improve the reliability and resilience of the network.

For the latest journey planning advice, replacement bus information, ticketing details and service updates, visit the Bee Network website, check the Bee Network app, or follow @BeeNetwork on X.