13-02-2025
More Man City matchday buses and routes announced
Extra routes are being added to the Manchester City matchday bus service, transport bosses have announced.
Dedicated buses taking City fans to the Etihad Stadium launched this time last year and are said to have proved hugely popular over the 12 months.
Transport for Greater Manchester said several of the routes were now at capacity - with 20 new stops having been added since the launch.
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TfGM has announced five extra buses will be added to five of the busiest routes, while three more new stops will be added at the Trafford Centre, Horwich and Rochdale. It takes the total number of buses for weekend matchdays to 20 and the number of locations served in total to 82.
A TfGM spokesperson said: "These changes have allowed the creation of five additional routes that will operate for weekend fixtures only, there is currently sufficient capacity for midweek games. The extended network will be in place for the Newcastle game on Saturday (15 February) and continue for all men's weekend games this season.
"Regular feedback from fans has been used to shape the matchday network since its launch, demonstrating the responsiveness and accountability of services under a locally controlled network."
The five new routes are:
MC8X: Macclesfield - Tytherington - Poynton - Bramhall - Etihad Stadium
MC9X: Flixton – Urmston – Trafford Centre – Etihad Stadium
MC11X: Horwich – Tyldesley – Boothstown – Wardley (A580 PnR) – Etihad Stadium
MC13X: Shaw – Royton – Hollinwood – Etihad Stadium
MC15X: Rochdale – Castleton – Middleton – Etihad Stadium
Data shows City fans have made 22,000 trips on the matchday buses since the launch. An average of around 700 supporters per game have used the service.
Steve Gilholme, head of service delivery at TfGM, said the service has won an industry award.
He said: "The Manchester City Matchday Bus Network has proven a real hit with City fans and is a great example of what we're trying to achieve with the Bee Network – demonstrating that if you provide people with reliable, affordable and safe public transport options they will use them.
"I am pleased we're growing the weekend matchday network, with more buses on the busiest routes, new stops added by fans' request at Rochdale, Horwich and the Trafford Centre."
Pete Bradshaw, Manchester City's director of sustainability, said: "We are delighted to be expanding our award-winning Matchday Bus Network to help even more fans travel to and from the Etihad Stadium.
"The latest additions, driven by substantial demand on certain routes, demonstrate that the service is working, and has created an enjoyable and efficient travel option for thousands of fans on a matchday. The benefit? Fewer cars on the road, with more fans opting for an increasingly sustainable mode of travel on a matchday."
