Guide to public transport this Christmas

Passengers planning a journey over the festive season can now pick up a public transport summary guide providing information on the bus, local train and Metrolink services running over the Christmas holidays.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive has produced 45,000 pocket sized guides to keep passengers informed of changes to public transport services – including Ring & Ride, Local Link and Metroshuttle – between 21 December and 2 January.

The Christmas Services summary guides are available now at Travelshops, libraries, rail stations and information centres and can also be downloaded from the GMPTE website at www.gmpte.com/christmas

Michael Renshaw, GMPTE’s Interim Bus & Rail Director, said: “Christmas is a hectic time and many people prefer to enjoy the festive season without having to worry about driving and parking in busy towns and cities.

“Public transport is a great way to get out and about and, while bus, rail and Metrolink services will be less frequent over Christmas, there may be more services running than you might think.

“I would encourage everyone planning a journey during Christmas to check their travel plans in advance by picking up one of GMPTE’s handy Christmas Services leaflets, a straightforward guide which can be kept in your pocket for easy reference.”

In addition to GMPTE’s Christmas Services summary guides, information posters are being displayed at bus, rail and Metrolink stations and selected bus stops.

Passengers can get more detailed information and help planning their journey by calling Traveline on 0871 200 22 33. Normal hours are from 7am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, and from 8am to 8pm at weekends.

Different times apply between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day as outlined in the Christmas Services guide. (Calls from BT landlines cost 10p per minute, mobile and other landline networks may charge more).