Commuters in Manchester faced severe travel disruption on the morning of Sunday, 18 January 2026, after a car became stuck on the Metrolink tram network, forcing the suspension of a key line.
Vehicle Abandoned on the Line
The incident occurred close to the New Islington tram stop, near Manchester city centre. A BMW car was driven onto the tracks and subsequently became stuck, reportedly after encountering a drop in the track as it descends towards a tunnel. Witnesses, including Ancoats and Beswick councillor Alan Good, saw the occupants abandon the vehicle and walk away after taking a wrong turn.
Councillor Good, who was waiting for a tram, stated: "I was at my local tram stop in New Islington and a BMW just drove down the tram tracks. It obviously stopped because of the drop, might have busted a tyre. No way it's getting out without getting towed."
Widespread Service Suspension
The stranded vehicle caused an immediate and complete halt to tram services on the Ashton Line. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) confirmed that no trams are able to run between Piccadilly Station and Ashton-under-Lyne until further notice.
In response to the crisis, TfGM authorised passengers to use their tram tickets on numerous Bee Network bus services to complete their journeys. The affected bus routes include:
- 7, 53, 76, 76A
- 171, 172, 216, 219
- 220, 221, 230, 231
Recovery Operation Underway
By mid-morning, a Metrolink van and workers were on the scene attempting to recover the abandoned BMW. A tram was also seen stationary behind the recovery vehicles, illustrating the extent of the blockage.
TfGM issued a formal apology for the inconvenience caused by the major disruption. The organisation's website urged customers to check for further updates as recovery efforts continued to clear the tracks and restore normal service.
