Archive News
Please see our current press release section for news releases issued within the last 3 months.
Select the year and then the month below to view the archived press releases:
Manchester's Free Metroshuttle Bus Services on Target For a Million Customers In Its First Year
Friday 28 February 2003
Manchester transport chiefs have welcomed the news that 'Metroshuttle', the two new free city centre bus services launched last September and operated by First, have been an early hit with passengers. Members of GMPTAs Transport Network Committee learned that the two routes are carrying a weekly average of 21,000 passengers. Patronage forecasts estimate that well over 1 million passenger journeys will have been made in Metroshuttle's first year of operation.
A key component of the City Centre Transport Strategy, the strikingly branded 'orange' and 'green' Metroshuttle services are free, fully accessible and frequent - running about every 5 minutes on Service 1 (orange) and every 10 minutes on Service 2 (green). Metroshuttle is improving access into and across Manchester city centre by providing customers with seamless integration between the city's rail stations, car parks and key public transport nodes, and linking them with the main retail, commercial, leisure and cultural destinations.
Andy Campbell, First's north west divisional managing director, commented: "We've been delighted by the success of Metroshuttle and the strong relationships we've developed with our partners. The earlier 'Centreline' service attracted approximately 360,000 customers per year but with the new, citywide Metroshuttle service this number will increase to over a million on an annualised basis. Through Metroshuttle we're very proud to be playing a key role in supporting the economic life of the city by providing a quality service for the people of Manchester."
Members of the Transport Network Committee also learnt that GMPTE and First are in the process of establishing a monitoring regime for the service, covering areas such as reliability, punctuality, service quality, customer satisfaction, patronage and bus stop provision. Councillors will receive regular monitoring reports on the performance of Metroshuttle services. Councillor Allen Brett, Chair of the Committee, said: "We're extremely pleased to see how well Metroshuttle is performing in its early months - it is being well used and providing a valuable service helping people move around the city centre'.
Metroshuttle has been funded through a partnership involving the Authority, Manchester City Council, GMPTE, National Car Parks Ltd and Allied London Properties. Manchester City Centre Management Company, together with First, have co-ordinated the marketing and promotion of the scheme, particularly amongst the city centre's residential and business communities.
An additional route is planned for introduction in 2004 to provide a connection to Salford Central Rail Station and the new Spinningfields business development area.