City bus scheme for home games

[Blue Maverick]

Due to a serious RTC there is a full closure at Elk Mill Retail park, MC13 may experience some delays.

It’s left Royton about 5 mins ago shouldn’t be too much behind

 

[ONTHERUNWITHTHAKSIN]

Hello, which service is he on

Match bus 9

 

[matchdaybus]

Match bus 9

He should be fine as passengers split over the 9 and 9x and its always quieter on midweek fixtures. Just make sure he is there in good time. I will let you know the departure time after the game so you can let him know if that helps.

 

[ONTHERUNWITHTHAKSIN]

He should be fine as passengers split over the 9 and 9x and its always quieter on midweek fixtures. Just make sure he is there in good time. I will let you know the departure time after the game so you can let him know if that helps.

Cheers

 

[Blue Maverick]

@matchdaybus does the driver of mc13 know broadway is shut near the elk mill roundabout on the return might be worth telling him to go the way he came down today

 

[matchdaybus]

@matchdaybus does the driver of mc13 know broadway is shut near the elk mill roundabout on the return might be worth telling him to go the way he came down today

Yes I got in touch with them earlier about it and they made the driver aware and it’s diverting on the way back too.

 

[matchdaybus]

Cheers

Buses will depart at 22:20

 

[ONTHERUNWITHTHAKSIN]

Buses will depart at 22:20

Cheers

 

[CC1]

@matchdaybus bus 8 - tonight’s driver is the best. Always on time; takes the best route & scans ALL passes.
However, it’s 23.05 and we are still half an hour from home. Part of the reason is that passengers seem to expect him to stop at various stops en route. We’ve already made 4 unscheduled stops before we’ve even reached Poynton - and it’s now becoming the norm.

I think a notice needs to be put on each bus stating that unscheduled stops will no longer be permitted so please don’t ask the driver.

Sorry to moan but lots of us take the trouble to drive to our relevant stop & thus have to spend extra time driving home after we get off the bus.

 

[Gingers Dad]

Brilliant news that they are running two buses on my route. We'll done.

Matchday bus is the way to go, but you'll be a big miss from the metrolink thread.

 

[GOULDYBOBS]

An hour and fifteen to get to Urmston is not great. Think it's more reflective of the state of our roads tbf

 

[NPBlue]

Slightly off topic, but what a pleasant change tonight, walking to the bus in dry weather and no steamed up windows for the journey home.

I can't remember the last time it happened.

 

[Gray]

Matchday bus is the way to go, but you'll be a big miss from the metrolink thread.

I'll be back.

 

[Gray]

Matchday bus is the way to go, but you'll be a big miss from the metrolink thread.

After the fiasco on the 4th March for the Forest match when the trams stopped running past Timperley before the match and loads of us were stood on the platform at Navigation Road I wrote to them asking why there was no station announcement. Eventually I got this response:-

"Thank you for contacting your Bee Network. Firstly I was sorry to hear of your experience back on 4 March 2026 when wanting to use the Metrolink network at 1738 on the Altrincham line and of there being disruption which impacted your travel. I was also sorry that there was lack of communication - providing accurate passenger information is a priority and I am sorry this did not happen on this occasion.

Having reviewed network performance on this date and at around 1738 (as per your below email), I can advise that the Altrincham line was significantly impacted by disruption which led to service delays and a partial closure of the Altrincham line. At 1735 (3 minutes before you wanted to travel), we had a report of a Network Rail track fault which meant services could not operate all the way to Altrincham. The team implemented ticket acceptance on local bus routes at 1741, then at 1743 our passenger communications and front-line staff were appraised - 5 minutes after you wanted to travel. As you may know, there will always be a lag / delay from the discovery of disruption to our communications being updated as disruption has to be verified and alternative plans - such as ticket acceptance - implemented before this is communicated to the wider public.

In this instance this disruption has occurred at almost the same time you wanted to travel (by a difference of 3 minutes) which likely contributed to the lack of communication at 1738 when you wanted to travel. Whilst these circumstances are outside the operator's control, I still appreciate the impact and inconvenience this could have had so for this I can only apologise.

Although you have not mentioned otherwise, it might be worth me suggesting our Travel Alerts page, this page can keep passengers informed of disruption and will have been updated shortly afer this disruption. For your convenience I have attached a link and would suggest checking it before you travel if possible: Travel updates | Bee Network | Powered by TfGM

As I appreciate that not all passengers have access to smart phones when travelling, we also have call points at each platform where passengers can call for assistance where required plus we have a Customer team on 0161 244 1000 who can also advise further too.

Again I am sorry for this experience and if we can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to reply to this email.

Kind regards

Simon"

So loads of waffle that did not answer my question as why no station announcement, how bloody hard can it be to press a button and speak into a microphone?

 

[matchdaybus]

@matchdaybus bus 8 - tonight’s driver is the best. Always on time; takes the best route & scans ALL passes.
However, it’s 23.05 and we are still half an hour from home. Part of the reason is that passengers seem to expect him to stop at various stops en route. We’ve already made 4 unscheduled stops before we’ve even reached Poynton - and it’s now becoming the norm.

I think a notice needs to be put on each bus stating that unscheduled stops will no longer be permitted so please don’t ask the driver.

Sorry to moan but lots of us take the trouble to drive to our relevant stop & thus have to spend extra time driving home after we get off the bus.

Hello, I will pass this message onto the operator for you.

 

[matchdaybus]

Slightly off topic, but what a pleasant change tonight, walking to the bus in dry weather and no steamed up windows for the journey home.

I can't remember the last time it happened.

Instantly puts you in a better mood doesn't it!

 

[CC1]

Hello, I will pass this message onto the operator for you.

Please reinforce how great last nights driver is & always is. It’s very difficult for him when people start to queue to get off near a specific bus stop that suits them. He’s driving & can’t discuss anything with them but it started with just one extra stop, then 2 and, as I said, now 4.

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

Could the tram from St.Peter's Square to the Etihad get any worse. Sardines in cans are less tightly packed.

 

[matchdaybus]

Please reinforce how great last nights driver is & always is. It’s very difficult for him when people start to queue to get off near a specific bus stop that suits them. He’s driving & can’t discuss anything with them but it started with just one extra stop, then 2 and, as I said, now 4.

Yes, I did pass on the positive feedback about the driver. They are going to speak to him today and tell him to stick to official stops going forward.

 

[matchdaybus]

Hope everyone had an enjoyable time at Wembley yesterday.

As promised, we've now added info for the Liverpool and Arsenal games to the website.

And as mentioned previously, we have had to alter the routes for the MC1, MC2, MC5, MC6, MC9, MC9X, MC10 and MC12 for the Arsenal fixture, due to the marathon road closures. Some of these changes won’t adversely affect fans but there will be quite significant changes on MC5 and MC10.

We have looked into this, and all possible solutions, but unfortunately we will be unable to serve Timperley and Brooklands on MC5 and Hale, Altrincham and Stretford on MC10. We have tried to maintain some sort of connectivity, so if you can make a short journey on foot, by bike or by tram, you should still be able to board a service.

However, MC5 and MC10 will operate as normal on the journey home, and stop at all the usual stops – as the road closures will have been lifted at this point.

We’re really sorry for the inconvenience this will cause to many fans, but the closures left us no option. Further details on the changes are below, with full routes and timetables on the website.

Booth Street West Park and Ride will also be unavailable for Arsenal. Instead, we will be offering a Park and Ride option from Belle Vue School. This will also be available for the remaining home matches this season [Brentford, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa]. The MC1, MC2 and MC6 will all stop at Belle Vue School pre and post-match.

One bit of good news is that MC17 has now been extended to begin in Leigh, with additional new stops in Atherton, Walkden and Swinton. MC17 will no longer stop at the A580 Park and Ride, but MC11 will continue to do so. This is in place for the Arsenal match, and the other three remaining home fixtures – not Liverpool.

Details of the Sunday 19 April changes are as follows:

• Belle Vue School added as a Park and Ride site.
• MC1 new stop added – Belle Vue School for Park and Ride.
• MC2 new stop added – Belle Vue School for Park and Ride.
• MC5 route amended for Manchester Marathon – starting in Sale – no service in Timperley and Brooklands.
• MC6 new stop added – Belle Vue School for Park and Ride.
• MC9 route amended for Manchester Marathon, no stops missed, but longer journey.
• MC9X route amended for Manchester Marathon, no stops missed, but longer journey.
• MC10 route amended for Manchester Marathon, starting Sale West – no service in Hale, Altrincham, and Stretford.
• MC12 route amended for efficiencies, no impact on stops or to supporters. In place for Arsenal and the remainder of the season.
• MC16/16H will only operate between Piccadilly Station and the Etihad, due to Booth Street West Park and Ride being unavailable.
• MC17 will start in Leigh, stopping at Atherton, Walkden, Swinton and Printworks/Victoria on the way. In place for Arsenal and the remainder of the season.

As always, any questions or comments then let us know.