Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has announced that 216 and 230 buses will run on diversion on Ashton New Road, opposite the Etihad Stadium, tomorrow (Saturday 31 October) from 3:45pm to 5:30pm. Manchester City play at home, and TfGM says services will divert from half time until the area clears after the final whistle.
The match is Manchester City versus Brighton in the Premier League, with a 3pm kick-off. If you plan to catch a bus around Sportcity, Holt Town or Clayton Hall in the late afternoon, TfGM has advised passengers to give themselves extra time.
Which buses are affected on Saturday 31st October?
The alert names two Bee Network routes:
- 216: Piccadilly Gardens to Ashton-under-Lyne and Stalybridge
- 230: Piccadilly Gardens to Droylsden and Ashton-under-Lyne
TfGM’s matchday travel advice also lists the 231 (Piccadilly Gardens, Droylsden, Hurst, Ashton-under-Lyne) among the services diverted. All three stops are along Ashton New Road, about a two-minute walk from the stadium.
The diversion is in place from half time, so buses before then should run as normal. The end time depends on how quickly the area empties after the match. The 5.30pm in the alert is the window TfGM has published, not a guaranteed finish.
How to check your journey
TfGM publishes the full diversion routes on its matchday bus diversions page. Check it before you travel, especially if your usual stop sits on Ashton New Road near the stadium. Its Getting to the Etihad Stadium page also has more advice for match days.
The live departures and service alerts page for the Ashton New Road stop opposite the Etihad shows real-time buses for the 216 and 230, along with any alerts.
Possible delays on Sunday 8th November
However, it’s also worth marking one more date. A separate TfGM alert covers a Remembrance event in Tameside on Sunday 8 November, from 9am to 4pm. TfGM says the 216 and 230 may be subject to delays during those hours. The alert does not announce a diversion, so check live departures before you set out.
If you travel on either route that Sunday, particularly towards Ashton-under-Lyne, allow extra time for your journey.
