The network of dedicated services will be operated and managed by Transport for Greater Manchester (TFGM) and the services started operating ahead of the Chelsea match.
The service will once again be in operation for tomorrow’s Premier League match against Brentford, as well as every other home match taking place at the Etihad Stadium until the end of the season.
By connecting fans across the region through a direct and reliable mode of travel, the new bus network will create a low-priced option for fans, making travelling to matches more efficient and increasingly sustainable.
In total, the bus network will see 17 different routes operating across 60 stops and cover a combined total of more than 340 miles.
These routes have been carefully selected following a detailed analysis of fan data which identified areas with limited existing travel options, or those with a dense population of Season Ticket Members.
Detailed information about the stops can be found on TFGM’s website here, but below is a map outlining the different routes:
Commenting on the introduction of the bus network, Danny Wilson, Managing Director – Manchester City Operations, said: “We want all our fans to have an amazing experience when they come to the Etihad Stadium, and we know that travelling to and from a match can play a key part in achieving this. That’s why we are investing in a partnership with Transport for Greater Manchester to trial a sustainable and reliable mode of transport that will improve travel arrangements for many of our fans.
“The introduction of this trial follows a detailed analysis of fan travel arrangements which has helped us to identify areas with limited travel options, and develop a bespoke, large-scale operation tailored to our fans.”
This is the latest phase of the Club and TFGM’s trial into bus networks, with a small number of routes operated during the first half of the season. This trial demonstrated the benefits of the service, while also highlighting a series of improvements we have made to create a more reliable and enjoyable mode of travel for fans.
It forms part of the wider work between the Club and TFGM to improve travel options for fans, with other developments made recently including the introduction of extra capacity double trams on a matchday which operate every six minutes. Two large bike racks have also been added to the Etihad Campus which can store a total of 240 bicycles.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, added: “This is an exciting trial that will give Manchester City FC fans another option for getting to and from matches at the Etihad in an affordable, convenient, safe and sustainable way.
“This month we have already introduced a new six-minute Metrolink service between the city centre and Etihad Campus – and this new partnership between TfGM and Manchester City Football Club demonstrates a wider vision for helping people travel to one of the city’s most iconic sporting venues.
“This is what the Bee Network and our plans for public transport in Greater Manchester are all about, giving people good options for the journeys they need to make – including when going to cheer on the Treble winners!”
All of the buses used in the trial will be fully accessible for wheelchair users and have low floors to make it easier for fans who use wheelchairs, mobility scooters or those with small children and pushchairs.
Tickets in Zone 1 will be priced at £6 for a return, while those in Zone 2 will be provided at £8. These Zones have been decided in line with the Metrolink’s zoning system. Tickets cannot be pre-booked, meaning they must be purchased on the bus via card or cash payments.
One bus will operate per route, and there will be space for an average of 80 fans per bus. Spaces will be issued on a first-come-first-served basis.
Meanwhile, existing services and private bus hire systems will not be impacted by the trial and are expected to continue as usual.
Further information about the routes and the timings can be found on Transport for Greater Manchester’s website here.
In the meantime, below is an overview of all the stops. Please note, some areas have several stops:
• Abraham Moss
• Altrincham
• Ashton Upon Mersey
• Audenshaw
• Blackley
• Boothstown
• Bramhall
• Bredbury
• Broadway
• Brooklands
• Chadderton
• Cheadle
• Cheadle Hulme
• Dane Bank
• Denton
• Didsbury
• Disley
• Dukinfield
• East Lancs Road
• Etihad Stadium
• Failswortrh
• Flixton
• Gee Cross
• Great Moor
• Hale
• Haughton Green
• Heald Green
• Heaton Chapel
• High Lane
• Hollinwood
• Hyde
• Lostock
• Macclesfield
• Marple
• Middleton
• New Mills
• Northenden
• Offerton
• Oldham
• Radcliffe
• Reddish
• Romiley
• Rose Hill Marple
• Royton
• Sale Moor
• Sale West
• Shaw
• Stalybridge
• Stockport
• Timperley
• Tytherington
• Urmston
• West Didsbury
• Withington
• Wythenshawe
