TfGM provides over 1000 extra park and ride spaces for people travelling into city centre this weekend
Shuttle buses will take Paul McCartney fans to and from gig at Co-op Live on Sunday
Plans to make it easier for everyone - whether travelling by car, public transport or active travel – to get into the city centre
‘Pop-up’ Park and Ride sites will open this the weekend, making it easier for people driving into Manchester city centre and travelling to big music and football events taking place.
It is set to be the busiest weekend of the year with the Christmas Markets still in full swing, while Paul McCartney plays Co-op Live and Manchester City face Manchester United in a Premier League showdown at the Etihad.
The AO Arena also hosts five showings of the ever-popular Disney on Ice over the weekend.
With thousands expected to flock to the city centre and Etihad Campus, people are being encouraged to dodge the congestion and use public transport where possible – with pop-up park and rides for weekend shoppers and fun-seekers who do want or need to drive.
The arrangements also include a bespoke shuttle bus service that will take Paul McCartney fans to and from Co-op Live on Sunday.
On Saturday (14 December) Booth Street West Car Park D (M15 6PD) will be free for customers travelling on to the city centre by bus. Access is via Higher Cambridge Street. A valid ticket must be shown on entry via the Bee Network app.
Once parked up, customers will have just a five-minute walk to Oxford Road, where they can catch any bus to the city centre with a pre-purchased ticket from the app. The nearest stop is University Shopping Centre Stop C.
On Sunday (15 December) the same car park will be free for people with tickets for the Paul McCartney gig at Co-op Live. This must be shown on entry. A dedicated shuttle bus will then take concertgoers from the car park to the Etihad Campus, where the venue is based.
Shuttle buses will depart from Higher Cambridge Street and run to Co-op Live and back every 15 mins from 4.00pm until midnight. The shuttle bus service is only available on Sunday.
There will be 965 parking spaces available at Booth Street West Car Park D on both days.
Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground (Talbot Road, Stretford M16 0PX) will also have parking available for Metrolink customers on Sunday. People will need to show a valid Metrolink ticket to staff for onward travel to the city centre, Etihad or Co-op Live. There are 500 spaces available.
Anyone planning to drive may also want to consider using one of the permanent park and ride sites and complete their journey on foot or by public transport.
Danny Vaughan, Chief Network Officer at TfGM, said: “With Christmas fast approaching and huge events taking place at Co-op Live, the Etihad and AO Arena, we’re expecting this to be the busiest weekend of the year. Manchester’s economy is thriving, with loads of brilliant events and lots of people wanting to visit the city centre.
"This time of year is always really busy in the city centre and our efforts are about making it easier for everyone – whether travelling by car, public transport or active travel – to support local businesses, get to work and meet up with loved ones.
"We’re doing everything we can to keep the city moving and these pop-up park and rides are another great option, making it easier for those who want or need to drive to get into the busy city centre. We’ve almost 1,500 extra parking spaces that will be free to drivers who can then make the last leg of their journey by bus or tram.
"We’re continuing to encourage people to use public transport if at all possible, plan ahead and leave plenty of time for your journey.
“There are a range of great options that can save people time, money and hassle. The walking route between the city centre and Etihad Campus could be ideal if you’re off to see Paul McCartney or the Manchester derby.”
For most people, the best way to travel into the city centre will be by tram or bus, with affordable fares, including great value family tickets, multiple stops across the city centre and frequent services running across the network.
Tram capacity has been increased for the festive season with every available tram out on the network and services running until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.
The V1 and 36 bus services now run 24 hours a day, and other late running buses from Manchester include the 43 service to Manchester Airport, the 86 to Sale and 142 to East Didsbury. Live departure times can be found on the Bee Network app, or the dedicated stop webpages on the Bee Network website.
Other visitors to the city over the weekend may want to consider re-routing to avoid the busiest areas or re-timing their journey to travel when the network will be quieter.
The busiest areas are likely to be within the inner ring road particularly around night life hotspots, event venues and car parks close to the main shopping areas.
The busiest periods are likely to be 2pm to 7pm Saturday and 2pm to 8pm on Sunday, and journeys through the city centre by car at these times are expected to take 30 minutes longer.
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