Deansgate-Castlefield & Trafford Bar - Tram improvement works

Monday 13 July - Sunday 2 August

From Monday 13 July to Sunday 2 August, tram improvement works will take place at Deansgate-Castlefield and Trafford Bar. During this time, additional works will take place in the city centre and along the Eccles line, allowing us to reduce further closures of the tram network.

The following changes will be in place across the network:

No trams will operate on the Eccles, Trafford Centre and Altrincham lines
Services operating on the East Didsbury/Manchester Airport lines will terminate at Firswood.
Services operating on the Rochdale line will terminate at Exchange Square.

Replacement buses will operate between the affected stops. See below for more information.

Tram services will resume as normal from start of service on Monday 3 August.

More details on replacement bus routes will be added in due course.

More details will be added in due course.

Key ticketing information:

During tram improvement works you still need to pay for your journey.
Any tram ticket valid for all the zones of your journey is also valid on a tram replacement bus.
1-day Bee Bus tickets (adult, child, family) are also valid on tram replacement buses.
Tickets cannot be purchased from a driver on a tram replacement bus.

Buying a ticket in the Bee Network app:

You can buy a range of tickets on the Bee Network App. Download the Bee Network app.

During these tram improvement works, 1-day Bee Bus tickets will be accepted on tram replacement buses as well as any other bus in Greater Manchester, giving you more flexibility.  

*Please note: the 1-day Bee Bus ticket will not be valid on any trams that are operating. If your journey includes a replacement bus and a tram, you will need to have a tram ticket. 

Buying a ticket from a ticket machine on a tram stop:

You can also buy a tram ticket from the ticket machines on a tram stop at the start of your journey, as you usually would if travelling on the tram. Keep your ticket handy to show the tram replacement bus driver.

Most replacement bus stops are only a short walk from tram stops, but some can be up to 5 minutes’ walk away. So for some stops you may find it easier to buy a ticket on the Bee Network app. Find out how to reach the Replacement Bus stop from your local tram stop here.

Tap-in and tap-out at a tram stop:

If you prefer, you can continue to use Tap and Go. You must tap-in on a tram stop at the start of your journey before boarding the replacement bus (as you usually would if travelling on the tram). Keep the card you have used to tap-in handy to show the tram replacement bus driver. Always remember to use the same card to tap-out at a tram stop when you reach your destination.

Most replacement bus stops are only a short walk from tram stops, but some can be up to 5 minutes’ walk away. So for some stops you may find it easier to buy a ticket on the Bee Network app. Find out how to reach the Replacement Bus stop from your local tram stop here. 