News Releases
Wednesday, 18 January 2006City centre gears up for opening of Shudehill Interchange
A major information campaign will be launched by GMPTE on Friday 20 January to get bus passengers ready for the biggest changes to the city centre's bus services in a decade.
On Sunday 29 January, the new bus station at Shudehill Interchange will open to passengers, whilst changes to bus routes throughout the city centre mean many passengers will be using different stops. The changes will have the biggest impact on city centre bus services since the closure of the Cannon Street bus station following the 1996 bombing.
GMPTE staff will be out and about in central Manchester distributing over 100,000 leaflets showing the new city centre bus stop locations and outlining all the changes.
GMPTE Projects Director, Michael Renshaw, said: "The new bus station at Shudehill Interchange is going to be a fantastic boost for the city centre, offering travellers a modern, safe and comfortable waiting environment.
"There will also be some big changes to city centre bus routes at the end of the month and we want to try and ensure that passengers know where they'll be getting their bus from. We'll be making leaflets available throughout the city centre and our staff will also be on hand to answer any questions people may have. We'll be doing all we can to make the transition to the new bus station as smooth as possible."
From 29 January, parts of Corporation Street and Cross Street (between Withy Grove and New Market) will be pedestrianised for shoppers between 11am and 7pm.
The changes are being introduced by Manchester City Council on a trial basis so that their effect on the use of buses, as well as commuter and visitor satisfaction and safety, can be monitored. Public consultation will be carried out during this period before a decision is taken as to whether to make the arrangements permanent.
Councillor Neil Swannick, Manchester City Council's executive member for planning and transport, added: "Manchester city centre has undergone a dramatic transformation in the past ten years and a changing city has changing transport needs. More people than ever are living in, working in and visiting the city centre so it's vital that our transport network evolves to reflect our status as a world class European city.
"The opening of Shudehill and the new bus routing arrangements will improve pedestrian safety and make Manchester city centre much more accessible to public transport users."
There are now three, easy access and free Metroshuttle services which serve all the main city centre areas. Metroshuttle services 1 and 2 (Orange and Green) will continue to travel along Corporation Street and Cross Street at all times of the day, whilst the latter service will link with Shudehill Interchange from the 29 January with a service every ten minutes from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday and 10am to 6pm on Sundays.
The 'City Centre Bus Service Changes' Leaflet will also be available from Travelshops and on buses. Bus users can also check their services before travelling by calling Traveline on 0870 608 2 608. Lines are open from 7am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 8pm at weekends. Textphone users should ring 0870 241 2216.
Media contacts: GMPTE - Becky Marr or David Harris on 0161 242 6245, or by email at press.office@gmpte.gov.uk
Manchester City Council - Rebecca Kennedy or Deborah Grace on 0161 234 3332
More information about Shudehill Interchange is available on this page
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