‘Plan ahead’ warning from Manchester transport chiefs as network to be busy over Christmas and New Year

From December 21 through to New Year’s Day there is a lot going on across the region. The upcoming weekend is the last two days for the Manchester Christmas Markets, but there is a lot more happening before the end of 2024.

Ahead of the bumper busy period, Transport for Greater Manchester is once again encouraging people to make trips on public transport.

Whilst buses and trams will keep moving around the city-region, some service changes are planned in between Christmas and New Year. Specific measures are also being put in place to help manage busier days in Manchester city centre.

The festive week in Greater Manchester

This weekend (Saturday 21 – Sunday 22 December)

The city plays host to Peter Kay at the AO Arena, the final weekend of the markets and Manchester United’s home game against Bournemouth.

Whilst roads will be busy and public transport is a good choice for many, those needing to drive can take advantage of temporary pop-up Park and Ride spaces near Oxford Road on both Saturday and Sunday. Parking at the car park on Cecil Street will be free for customers who buy a ticket to travel by bus into the city centre from nearby Oxford Road.

Monday 23 December to Thursday 2 January

There will be changes to operating times across public transport and supporting services, including the Bee Network Customer Contact Centre and ticket offices. The full festive timetable can be found on the Transport for Greater Manchester website.

Boxing Day - Thursday 26 December

With Manchester City playing at home against Everton on Boxing Day, TfGM will be enhancing its Match Day Buses. Due to popular demand and reduced services elsewhere, two buses on five routes will be running on the day.

New Year’s Eve - Tuesday 31 December

With thousands of people expected to attend a spectacular fire display in St Peter’s Square, no trams will travel through St Peter’s Square after 8pm and service changes will be introduced on other Metrolink lines. Shuttle buses will run every 15 minutes between St Peter's Square and Deansgate-Castlefield between 8pm and 1am. Elsewhere, night buses on the 36 and V1 routes will also run on New Year’s Eve.

Danny Vaughan, TfGM’s Chief Network Officer, said: “Public transport will keep Greater Manchester moving over the next few weeks. It’s a great, affordable option for people visiting loved ones or making the most of the shops, bars, restaurants and events in the city centre.

“There'll be some bus and tram service changes over Christmas and New Year, so we’re encouraging people to check the timetables in advance when planning their festive trips out.

“As we see every year, there’s days that are busier – with football fixtures and New Year’s Eve celebrations drawing big crowds. Where possible, we’re putting specific measures in place to help ease people’s journeys, from a pop-up Park and Ride for the last weekend before Christmas, to bespoke match day buses, New Year’s Eve shuttles, and night buses to help people get around over the coming weeks.”