There will be no tram service to Old Trafford for Manchester United’s home game against Bournemouth. Shuttle buses will be laid on for football fans travelling to and from the stadium, with supporters encouraged to allow extra time for their journeys to the match.
United host the south coast club on Sunday 25 October, but fans will be unable to get to the ground by tram while major improvements are taking place on parts of Greater Manchester’s tram network. No trams will be running on the Altrincham, Trafford Park and Eccles lines until Monday, 2 November – services on the Airport and East Didsbury lines will also only go as far as Firswood.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has worked with partners to provide a range of alternative ways for fans to get to and from the match. These include frequent dedicated shuttle buses running from Piccadilly Gardens, Altrincham Interchange and the Trafford Centre, taking fans directly to Old Trafford before the game.
Frequencies range from five to 20 minutes depending on the route and time, with details available online – return services will be in place after the final whistle. TfGM staff will be at key stops and interchanges throughout the day to help fans get to the match and provide travel advice.
Ian Davies, TfGM’s Network Director for Metrolink, said: “There is no good time to disrupt passengers to carry out these works, and this is the first time in over a decade that trams won’t serve Old Trafford on a match day, but these works are essential and will enable us to provide a better service in future. I am very sorry to fans who face disruption.
“We’ve put a range of alternative travel options in place, including dedicated shuttle buses, bolstered Bee Network bus services, rail options and ticket acceptance arrangements that will help fans get to and from the game.
“Journey options will be different from usual, so we would encourage supporters to plan ahead, check their route and our website before they travel and leave plenty of time to get to and from the stadium.”
TfGM is advising supporters to leave around an hour earlier to help make sure they arrive in time for kick-off. Full details of the shuttle buses, alternative routes and ticket acceptance arrangements can be found on the dedicated Manchester United v Bournemouth travel information page.
