Bury to Manchester Metrolink services diverted for three days of city centre testing

Metrolink services connecting Bury and Manchester are undergoing temporary changes for three days during essential city centre testing. Following earlier Metrolink closures, services on the Bury-Altrincham and Victoria-Manchester Airport lines will divert via Exchange Square. Passengers may need to change trams to reach Shudehill or Market Street while this temporary timetable is active across the network.

The adjustments affect regular commuters traveling from Bury into Manchester city centre, although trams continue to run throughout the entire testing programme. Under the revised schedule, services generally operate every 15 minutes during peak hours. Officials confirmed that peak-time services run between 7am and 8pm while the network undergoes these required engineering checks.

Routes affected by the diversion include Bury to Ashton-under-Lyne and peak-time services from Bury to Altrincham running via Exchange Square. Additional altered routes include Manchester Airport to Victoria, Trafford Centre to Crumpsall, and East Didsbury services running to Rochdale Town Centre and Shaw and Crompton via Exchange Square. Passengers are being urged to check their transport routes before setting off and allow extra time for their journeys if they need to change trams in the city centre. Extra staff are stationed at key interchanges to assist travelers moving through the temporary layouts.

Transport representatives explained that the temporary configuration is necessary to complete network testing safely without causing indefinite disruption. Local commuters should review their daily travel plans ahead of their morning and evening commutes. The Bee Network said tram services are expected to return to their normal operating pattern from the start of service on Thursday, November 5.