Deansgate-Castlefield & Trafford Bar - Tram improvement works

Sunday 6 September

On Sunday 6 September, from the start of service until 11am, tram improvement works will take place at Deansgate-Castlefield and Trafford Bar.

These works are an important final step on the new track that was installed in July. Now that trams have been running again, we need to "tamp" the track. This helps the crushed stone beneath it settle properly and ensures the track is firmly supported, helping keep journeys safe and reliable.

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.

Please note: Due to the extent of the closure, it will take longer for services to reform across the network. Customers may have an additional wait for a service.

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

Start of service until 11am

Services will operate every 15 minutes:

Bury - Piccadilly
Victoria - Ashton-under-Lyne
Rochdale Town Centre - Exchange Square
East Didsbury - Firswood
Manchester Airport - Firswood

From 11am until end of service

Services will operate every 15 minutes:

Bury - Piccadilly
Altrincham - Etihad Campus
Eccles (via MediaCityUK) - Ashton-under-Lyne
Rochdale Town Centre - East Didsbury (via Exchange Square)
Trafford Centre - Crumpsall (via Exchange Square)
Manchester Airport - Victoria (via Market Street)

From 11am, services will begin to operate on the affected lines, though services may take some time to fully reform.

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. 