12 October 2005
New link to Spinningfields
Manchester’s free city centre bus service, Metroshuttle, celebrated its third birthday today with the official launch of its third route – running to Salford Central rail station and the newly developed Spinningfields area for the first time.
Since 2002, Metroshuttle has linked the city’s key public transport stations and stops as well as car parks with the main shopping, commercial, leisure and cultural areas of Manchester.
A familiar sight around the city centre, the instantly recognisable ‘orange’ and ‘green’ Metroshuttle services have now been joined by third ‘purple’ route, which also links Manchester Piccadilly, Oxford Street, Peter Street, Albert Square and Princess Street.
In the last three years, X million passenger journeys have been made on Metroshuttle, which is fully accessible, frequent – and the largest free city centre bus service in the UK.
Leader of Manchester City Council, Councillor Richard Leese, said: “Metroshuttle has proven to be one of Manchester’s real success stories. I am delighted we have been able to work with our partners to bring the Spinningfields area into the network with the launch of a third route. Spinningfields is a dynamic new business quarter and an important element of the regeneration of our city centre, which is being delivered through a partnership between Manchester City Council and developer Allied London.
“The newly expanded network shows how Metroshuttle is a flexible service that can change and grow as the city centre evolves. We would welcome the opportunity to forge similar partnerships with other public and commercial organisations in order to bring this type of service to other parts of our city centre.”
Roger Jones: “I am delighted to see Metroshuttle reach its third birthday on such a successful note. The service is doing wonders for the image and wider use of the bus, by providing fast, frequent and reliable links across the city centre. It is immensely popular with people who live and work in Manchester, as well as visitors to the city.
“I’m particularly pleased to see Salford Central rail station brought into the Metroshuttle network, as the station and the surrounding areas gear up for major regeneration over the next few years.”
Stuart Lyle, project director for Allied London Properties, joint developers of the Spinningfields scheme, said : “This is a very important route for Spinningfields as it connects it the rest of the city centre and will attract even more people to the area. As one of the largest mixed use schemes in Manchester, Spinningfields is already proving to be a popular destination for both businesses and leisure.”
The Metroshuttle service is funded, promoted and operated through a partnership between the Authority, Manchester City Council, GMPTE, First, Allied London Properties, NCP Manchester and Manchester City Centre Management Company.
New maps and pocket-sized leaflets are being distributed at bus stops across the city centre and. They are also available at GMPTE Travelshops, many city centre retailers and information points. A map can be ordered by calling 0161-242 6040 (24 hour answer phone).
