This DVD features the Manchester Metrolink lines to Altrincham and Bury plus both buses and trams in the city centre.
The Altrincham and Bury lines were the first tram routes to open in 1992 in what has now become the largest tramway system in the UK. Another batch of Bombardier M5000 trams is now (2022) in process of delivery, when this order is complete there will be 147 of these trams in service.
The main bus operators in the Greater Manchester area are Stagecoach Manchester, Go-North West (part of the Go-Ahead group), First Manchester and Diamond Bus North West (Rotala Group). Arriva has a couple of routes into the city centre and Go-North West operates the city centre free bus service on behalf of Transport for Greater Manchester. Go-North West inherited this service when they took over the routes formerly operated by First Manchester from their Queens Road garage in 2019. Stagecoach is the largest operator in the Greater Manchester area, operating from six garages: Ashton, Middleton, Sharston, Hyde Road, Stockport and Wigan. Stagecoach has 32 BYD/Alexander-Dennis Enviro400 electric buses which are based at Sharston, they can be distinguished by their green livery and the 100% electric, and zero emissions signs. Stagecoach have a variety of liveries, including the new standard bus livery which was introduced in 2021. Images of the liveries in use in Manchester are as follows:
• Old livery
• New livery
• Electric bus
• Hybrid bus
• Magic bus
The city centre free bus service is mainly operated with Optare Versa hybrid buses, there are also 3 battery-electric Versas and 1 Optare Solo hybrid on this service. All this makes for a very colourful bus scene in Manchester, with the trams for added interest.
Subtitles, no commentary, enjoy the sights & sounds of buses and trams in & around Manchester.
Produced by - Bob Hodges Transport DVD's
Running time - 66 Minutes
Format - 16:9 Widescreen PAL (UK)
DVD only
Released - March 2022
