Transport for Greater Manchester has unveiled eight new measures to help the city cope with an expected 3.4 million visitors to the Christmas Markets, which open on Friday (November 5).
The festive season is a major draw for tourism from across the north west and beyond, with markets, Christmas shopping, and festive events and shows attracting large crowds.
Millions of visitors and rail journeys expected
TfGM said almost 40pc of that footfall is expected to be concentrated over just nine days, including the weekend of Black Friday and the first two weekends in December. Millions of rail journeys are expected on the region's rail network, and the body has advised people to use public transport and 'leave the car at home if they are able'.
Temporary measures designed to help the city's infrastructure cope with demand include new night buses serving all ten boroughs from Thursdays to Sunday mornings, and overnight parking restrictions are to be lifted on existing Park and Ride locations. Pop-up Park & Ride locations are also in the pipeline, while major events are to be served by more double trams, the body has promised.
The eight measures in full
More double trams on the Altrincham-Bury line and the Trafford Park line, which TfGM has said are some of the busiest parts of the network.
Additional services laid on for major events including football fixtures and those 'expected to generate higher passenger numbers'.
New night bus services are to serve all 10 Greater Manchester boroughs, with round-the-clock bus services to the 36, 37, 39, 43, 142, 143, 192 and V1. New direct bus and tram services to the Trafford Centre.
Overnight parking restrictions are to be lifted at TfGM's 20 Park and Ride sites from Thursday 12 November, meaning people can go out, leave the car and collect it the next day without being charged. The body has advised that another 21 free Park and Ride sites are open at rail stations across Greater Manchester.
An extended half-hourly 615 service, between Bolton town centre and Middlebrook Retail Park in Horwich.
More customer service staff are to be stationed at the busiest tram stops, helping passengers and 'managing customer flows' during peak periods.
Monitoring of the transport network through TfGM's Operational Control Centre. "TfGM staff will work alongside transport operators and partner organisations to monitor traffic flows, coordinate responses to incidents and disruption, and help keep people moving during the busiest periods," the body said.
Official reaction
Danny Vaughan, Chief Network Officer at TfGM, said: "Greater Manchester pulls out all the stops at Christmas and we're ready to welcome millions of people with open arms - whether they're enjoying the markets, shopping for gifts or heading to one of the many events and attractions.
"The Bee Network will be the easiest and cheapest way to get around during the festive period. We're putting a range of measures in place to help people get about, including more double trams, night buses, extra customer support at key locations and improved Park and Ride options.
"The growing popularity of Manchester and the massive programme of events means it will definitely be busy. That's why we're encouraging people to try public transport if usually drive, and urging everyone to give extra thought to how and when the travel as they plan their journeys."
