Some very significant changes to the Metrolink service will be starting from 21 February 2014.

This is to enable work on the multi-million pound (mostly Government funded) project to transform Manchester Victoria station, and to provide the initial work for the ‘second city crossing’ (a new Metrolink line down Cross Street in the city centre).

Friday 21 February to Sunday 23 February
Metrolink services replaced with buses from Abraham Moss on the Bury line to the city centre and from Central Park on the Oldham-Rochdale line to the city centre.
Altrincham, Ashton, East Didsbury and Eccles services will run via Piccadilly.

From Monday 24 February onwards
Trams will have to pass through Victoria in both directions on a single line of track. Victoria Metrolink stop will be temporarily closed to passengers.

Instead, passengers will be asked to use Shudehill, the next city centre stop along and just a short walk for connections with Victoria’s rail services and the arena.

Metrolink services will also change for the duration of the work:
– Every Bury to Altrincham service will be served by double trams from start to end of service – boosting capacity at the busiest times.

– A shuttle tram will run between Bury and Abraham Moss every 12 minutes, catering for approximately a third of all journeys made on this line.

– Instead of running to and from Bury, Ashton line services will run to Eccles via Piccadilly every 12 minutes. Rochdale and East Didsbury services will still run every 12 minutes but will not call or stop at Victoria.

· Customers travelling between Victoria and Piccadilly rail stations can either use the free city centre Metroshuttle bus service (changing between Service 1 and 2) or alight at Market Street and walk to the Piccadilly Gardens stop (and vice versa) to complete their journey by tram.

Additional signage and ticket vending facilities will be provided at Shudehill, and Metrolink staff will be on hand during the busiest times. Additional measures will also be put in place to cater for demand during events at the nearby arena.

More information from Transport for Greater Manchester here.

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