Metroshuttle

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Metroshuttle is a zero-fare bus system that operates in Manchester City Centre. It consists of three routes 1, 2 and 3 that circuit certain areas of the city. It links Manchester Oxford Road, Salford Central, Manchester Piccadilly Bus Station, Manchester Piccadilly Train Station, Manchester Victoria Stations and many of the city's Car Parks, Metrolink Stations, Tourist Attractions and Bus Terminals.

Contents 1 History 2 Partnership 3 Routes 4 External links

[edit] History

Metroshuttle first began operating in September 2002 and replaced the previous Centreline city centre operation. First Manchester was chosen by GMPTE to operate the service and still operates it currently. Two routes were introduced, numbers 1 and 2. The service was extremely successful. Number 3 was introduced in September 2005 and links additional areas of the City centre.

[edit] Partnership

Metroshuttle is a partnership between GMPTE, Manchester City Council, National Car Parks and the property developer Allied London. The service is completely zero-fare (free) and does not require any tickets or passes. The service is also partially supported by advertising. First Manchester provides a publicity contribution. The free service costs approximately £1.2million each year source: Buses Magazine

[edit] Routes

The Metroshuttle network consists of three services, each operated by First Manchester. The services are operated using a dedicated fleet of 18 Optare Solo minibuses with route branding applied for all services, Route 1 (orange), Route 2 (green), Route 3 (purple). Some Solos feature a "Metroshuttle spare" livery, consisting of silver-grey in place of the route colours. Most Metroshuttle bus stops also share the same route colour of the appropriate bus stopping there.

Metroshutle Route One	Metroshutle Route Two	Metroshutle Route Three
Piccadilly Rail Station Piccadilly/Chatham St Charlotte St/Portland St Charlotte St/Mosley St King Street John Dalton Street Bridge Street* Gartside Street* Spinningfields* Deansgate/John Rylands Library* King Street West Barton Arcade St Marys Gate Cross Street King Street York Street Piccadilly Plaza Central Coach Station Chorlton Street Piccadilly Rail Station	Shudehill Interchange Manchester Victoria Manchester Cathedral Barton Arcade John Rylands Library The Great Northern Warehouse Castlefield Deansgate Station Medlock St/Grand Island Medlock St/Mancunian Way Hulme Street (for University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University) Oxford Road Manchester Oxford Road Station Whitworth St W/Cornerhouse The Hacienda Deansgate Station Liverpool Road Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester Lower Byron St Spinningfields Deansgate/John Rylands Library King Street West Barton Arcade St Mary's Gate Corporation Street Shudehill Interchange	Piccadilly Rail Station Piccadilly/Chatham St Portland St/Chorlton St Portland St/CUBE Oxford Street Peter Street Quay Street/Opera House Quay Street/Granada TV New Quay Street Salford Central Railway Station Gartside Street Spinningfields Peter Street Mount Street Albert Square Town Hall City Art Gallery Princess Street Whitworth Street Piccadilly Rail Station

* denotes peak hours only

0700-1900 Monday-Saturday, approx. every 5 minutes (Routes: One, Two and Three)
1000-1800 Sunday, approx. every 10 minutes (Routes: One and Two only)

[edit] External links

• Metroshuttle Information from GMPTE
• The above link is also the source for the route description.